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Ralph and Savey Tufenkian
Washington, D.C. - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) mourns the loss of longtime Assembly Trustee, Board Member, and supporter, Ralph Tufenkian.
Ralph and his late wife Savey were leading benefactors of the Assembly's Summer Internship Program in Washington, D.C., and contributed greatly to the program by establishing the Richard Tufenkian Memorial Fund, in loving memory of their son Richard, who was an Assembly Summer Internship Program alumnus, as was their daughter Sandra and son-in-law Paul Kalemkiarian.
The Tufenkians were philanthropists of the Armenian American community and were ardent supporters of a number of humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations. In recognition for their dedication, the Assembly recognized Ralph and Savey, who was also a former Assembly Board Member, at the Assembly's Gala in Newport Beach, CA in 2017 for their commitment, particularly towards the Assembly's Internship Program.
"We express our sincere condolences to the Tufenkian Family, including their daughter and son-in-law Sandra and Paul Kalemkiarian and their children and grandchildren, as well as their son and daughter-in-law Greg and Caroline Tufenkian and their children," said Assembly Board Co-Chairs, Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. "Ralph was a good friend of ours and his philanthropic endeavors strengthened the Armenian community in the diaspora and the homeland. Ralph and Savey’s legacy will certainly live on as they inspire generations to come."
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Ralph served in the U.S. Army and later joined the U.S. Air Force. He married Savey in 1958, and together they had three children and six grandchildren, whom they were devoted to.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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