It is with the deepest sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Robert (Bob) Bedoukian, Ph.D.. He passed away peacefully Friday evening after a valiant fight with cancer, surrounded by his family. This is an immense loss for all of us who had the privilege to know him and work with him and for our Industry who has lost a leader like no other.
Robert was a visionary who dedicated his life to his family, to his company and to the industry and inspired us all with passion, commitment, and kindness.
Bedoukian Research Inc., founded in 1972 provides complex organic products for the Flavor and Fragrance industry. Robert led the company starting in 1986, and true to his core, delivered high quality products to customers all over the world. Robert also founded BedoukianBio, a company that delivers semiochemical products following the Bedoukian tradition of production of complex organic molecules with high quality and service.
Robert served on the Board of Directors of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) from 1989-2022, was chairman of the Board from 2005-2007, and interim Co-President from 2015-2016; Fragrance Creators Association (FCA, formerly FMA and IFRANA) since 1995; Ability Beyond as Vice Chair since 2014; and Regional Hospice since 2020.
In addition to the Board memberships, in 2021, Robert created and chaired the Nuvance Research and Innovation Bedoukian Endowed Chair. He had been a member of the Armenian Museum of America Board of Trustees since 2002 and served on the Purdue Chemistry Advisory Committee since 2018. Robert was also a member of the Finance and Audit Committee at Ability Beyond and the Finance Committee at the First Church of Christ Congregational in Redding.
Robert was a recipient of numerous professional and civic awards including; The Eric Bruell Distinguished Service Award (2015); The Cecil Previdi Award for Entrepreneurial Business Achievement from the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce (2021); The Robert S. Young Humanitarian Award issued by Ability Beyond (2018). He was honored for community service by the Association of Religious Communities (2020) and a recipient of the Greater Danbury Good Scout Award (2021).
Robert was a dedicated chemist and chemical engineer who received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Tufts University in 1970 and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Purdue University in 1975. He received the Purdue University College of Science Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013 for his outstanding achievements in chemistry and business.
Robert was a man who lived with the highest integrity, he provided leadership not only to Bedoukian Research, Inc. but to the community where he and his family live and impacted many lives. Robert’s life and legacy will live on through his charitable work and spirit of giving.
