CONCISE BIOGRAPHY OF MR. AUGUSTINE BADEER

{note - some dates and details are not known - if you have information, please comment below and share any details and dates that you can add to this short biography!} 

Augustine Badeer was born 1910 in Mersin, Cilicia (part of the Ottoman Empire).


He was the second child born to Sarkis Garboushian and his wife Persapeh [nee Koundakjian]. Sarkis had the good opportunity to go to the America in his youth to study, through the generosity of a missionary organization. In America he changed his last name to “Badeer”.

Augustine’s siblings were William, Henry, and Margaret. Because his father Sarkis was a doctor in the Ottoman army, the family was officially spared from the deportation of the Armenians (as part of the genocidal scheme of the Young Turks ruling party of the time). Later on the family decided to relocate in -------------, where many of the Armenian remnants were residing.

During the years 19xy-19zw, he was serving as an officer in the British army who were there as part of the Palestine mandate. He also had the good fortune to marry Verjin Janjigian. In 1941?, his sister Margaret married Dr. Puzant Krikorian, and his younger brother Henry married Marie Kassarjian.

In 19xy, Badeers settled in Beirut, Lebanon. In 19xy, in partnership with doctors Peter Manougian and Puzant Krikorian they founded a hospital in Beirut called Christian Medical Center (commonly referred to as CMC). In collaboration with the AMAA, this institution served as a practical missionary institution. After long years of service when the principals retired, this institution was donated to the

Not having any children of their own, they contributed greatly to the welfare and education of Armenian children through the AMAA. Badeers were wholeheartedly involved in the programs and activities of the Christian Endeavor Union. For long years, he served in the Christian Endeavor Executive Committee. He
contributed time and money for the Christian Endeavor publications in Armenian: “Tchanasser” [‘Endeavor-Love’] and “Badanegan Artsakank” [Youth Echo]. Augustine Badeer’s monumental contribution was in the purchase and development (with the cooperation of other friends and relatives) of KCHAG: {“KCHAG” is the acronym for “Krisdoneagan Chanits Amarnayin Getron”; which means “Christian Endeavor Summer Center”. Groups associated with the Armenian Evangelicals had their activities and conferences there during the summer months: Needy children, youth groups, Teachers Union, Church groups.

In 197x, the Badeers immigrated to the United States and settled in Fresno, California; being neighbors to the Krikorians. They became active and contributing members of the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church. But his heart and interests were for the Armenian.

At the end of his life, Augustine had cancer which ended his life in 198x. He was survived by his wife; who was placed in Ararat Home [Senior Center] in Los Angeles. Though this biography was for Augustine, it should be emphasized that his wife Verjin was inseparably and effectively involved in everything achieved
through Augustine. 

Even after the passing of the Badeers, their heritage is evidenced in the generous
financial legacy left to AMAA through the Badeer Family Trust. Blessed be their memory, and may their impact be felt even after they have gone.