Obituary of Hrant Yousoufian

Hrant Yousoufian died on August 1, 2023, leaving behind loved ones and a rich life.

In addition to his accomplishments and passions in the field of engineering, two profound marks on his life, ones he incessantly referred to in later life, were his time in World War II and his marriage to Anna Couyoumdjian (deceased January 2023).

Born to Nevart Guezeubeukian and Hagop Sarkissian in Highland Park, Michigan, on June 26, 1924, he was awarded a bachelor of aeronautical engineering from The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (aka Brooklyn Poly and now the NYU Tandon School of Engineering) in 1948, was licensed as a professional engineer in 1962 and named a fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 1997.

Hrant volunteered for the U.S. Army on November 25, 1942, through the Enlisted Reserve Corps. He began active duty on June 16, 1943, and served until his honorable discharge on April 5, 1946. In 1945, he survived the crossing of the Rhine on March 26, as a squad leader of the 89th Division of the U.S. Army (aka the Rolling W), 354th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, Company G. His awards include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

On March 2, 1946, Hrant and Anna Couyoumdjian, a French national, were married in St.-Martin-d’Hères, France. Both Hrant and Anna said throughout their lives that their 76 years of marriage began with love at first sight, a French coup de foudre.

Hrant and Anna’s three children, Armen, Jasmine, and Elise and their spouses, and four grandchildren all hold both Hrant and Anna in their memory. Services will be private. Hrant and Anna will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.

Tax-deductible donations to the ANCA Endowment Fund, Armenian General Benevolent Union or an organization supporting children will be gratefully appreciated.