Roupen Leon Keusseyan passed away peacefully on September 19, 2019.  He was born on April 25, 1948 in Beirut, Lebanon and was the youngest of four sons.

Roupen’s parents were survivors of the Armenian Genocide and raised their family in Beirut’s Bourj Hammoud.  After growing up in the Mediterranean with his family and friends, Roupen completed his undergraduate study at the Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences.  Encouraged by his family to escape Lebanon’s civil conflict, he emigrated to the United States in 1973 and sought higher education, earning a Master of Science degree in Physics from Clarkson University in 1976 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science from Cornell University in 1985.  Roupen’s first job was at IBM in Endicott, New York where he met his future wife, Karen Lee Delson; the two wed in Tokyo, Japan on November 2, 1982 and welcomed their first son, Zaven Leon, in 1984.

The young family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1985 where Roupen commenced an esteemed career at Dupont Electronics, creating many groundbreaking innovations and lifelong friendships along the way.  Roupen was a renowned scientist, traveling internationally and sharing numerous successes at industry conferences.  In 1990, the family grew yet again when their youngest son, Levon Pierre, was born.

Roupen retired from Dupont in 2008 but quickly resumed his passion for science by accepting a position in Tuscany, Italy.  Roupen and Karen spent three memorable years in Tuscany, enjoying everything life in Europe has to offer while living La Bella Vita.

In 2011, Roupen’s scientific prowess was channeled again, bringing the couple to Carlsbad, California; Roupen continued and ultimately retired as a Chief Scientist here, where he and Karen thoroughly enjoyed life – particularly the relaxing peace of their hillside home.  Roupen especially adored the restorative view of green canyons and coastal hills, often watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.  Appreciating the view of his personal slice of heaven, Roupen comforted his family by telling them, “I will always be there.”

Roupen’s career was distinguished by many patents, awards and achievements – none of which mattered as much to him as the quality of his work or his family’s quality of life.  Designing scientifically elegant and ‘beautifully simple’ solutions to complex problems was a theme throughout his career, as well as a core principle he lived by and instilled in others.  Roupen cared deeply for his family and friends, and is celebrated for his nobility, perseverance, and endless wisdom.  Roupen inculcated countless tenets, among them are the Golden Rule, the ‘Never Give Up’ ethos and the true meaning of the proverbial saying “Silence is of Gold.”

Roupen is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Karen, by his sons: Zaven (and wife Karineh) and Levon (and wife Astrid), and by his nephews and nieces (and their families): Tony, Jack, Ani, Ara, Carl, Tonya, Tatiana, Leo and James.  Roupen is preceded in death by his brothers: Pierre, Jean and Edward, and by his parents: Levon and Sirouhi (née Kassabian).

A Celebration of Life will be held in Roupen’s honor: 5pm on April 25, 2022 at the Lake Johnson Waterfront Center in Raleigh, North Carolina (the event will also be live-streamed for anyone wishing to participate but unable to attend).