David Antion on Apartian's Death and Ron Dart's Condition

12/12/10   Greetings from Pasadena,

By now most of you have received the news of the death of Dibar Apartian.  When I first knew Dibar he was a French teacher at Ambassador College but not yet baptized.  In a few years he was baptized and began to work on articles in the magazines translating them into French.  He became ordained an elder and later he and I were among four who were ordained “evangelists” in 1966.   He began a radio broadcast in French that was carried in Europe and in other French speaking countries.  

He and his wife Shirley (Nash) were social friends of ours playing Bridge and having dinner in each other’s home.  He was a temperate man who seldom ate desserts preferring to have fruit and cheese following his meals as is the custom in France.  He was always nice and pleasant to Molly and me.  Molly attended his French classes  for two years.

We received a discouraging update on Ronald Dart.  After his fall he evidently had intracranial hemorrhaging.  His time of rehabilitation has ended in the clinic but will continue at home.  It appears that the hemorrhaging has wiped up much of what he has learned in times past and he is having to learn letters and word all over again.  Larry Watkins wrote that he cannot read or write presently.

This has to be very discouraging for him and his wife, Allie.  Ron Dart had a very active mind and loved learning and was an able thinker on many subjects.  Many have prayed and are continuing to pray for him and Allie.  Please remember them in your prayers.

I hope you are well.  I shall be writing some things for our Guard the Temple area of the web site soon.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
David Antion

Dibar Apartian Has Died

Another mighty oak has fallen. Our beloved friend and brother, Evangelist Dibar Krikor Apartian, has gone to a well-earned rest. Mr. Apartian lived to 94 years of age—24 years beyond King David who died “old and full of days” at age 70. The Eternal God used Mr. Apartian to raise up the Work of God in the French language and to oversee and guide that Work for many decades. Through his ministry in the French language, through his sermons and articles in English, and through his well-known personal love and graciousness, Mr. Apartian had a wonderful impact on the lives of many thousands of people around the world.—Roderick C. Meredith

While Apartian certainly was over the French speaking areas, he was not always the favorite HQ administrator.  The Belgians and many of the French did not care too much for him.  He was a French speaking Armenian and therefore not a true Francophile.

He was also known for not getting too wrapped up in the politics in Pasadena.  At least that was the impression he gave.

He is preceded in death by his son, who committed suicide.

Dibar Apartian Seriously ILL

Long time 'evangelist' in WCG and later in a splinter group is seriously ill.  The outlook is bleak according to other reports.  Apartian was put over the French department decades ago.  This caused huge issues in various European countries that were French speaking.  Apartian was from French Arab stock and was not a true Frenchman for them.  Sadly, his son Philip committed suicide on their front lawn in 1983.

AR 24 1983
We are sorry to report the suicide-death of Phillip Apartian, son of Evangelist Dibar Apartian, the head of the WCG's French-language operations. Phillip killed himself on the front lawn of a Pasadena home March 31 after apparently calling the police. As the police arrived on the scene, he shot himself in the chest with a 12-gauge shotgun. Friends say the nineteen-year-old had been suffering from depression.

News this week about Apartian's failing health.

Hello dear family,

    I spoke to Shirley Apartian this evening and want to pass on the news about Dibar's health decline while he was in Martinique for the Feast.  Shirley was unable to go with him, so his secretary and her mother went to help him, as he has many health issues. 

    At the last of the Feast he went on a fishing trip with the feastgoers and got very cold.  He was never able to get warn after that.  Two days later they left, but had a layover in San Juan.  There he began to vomit, was shaking with cold, and passed out at the airport,  They took him to a hospital and he was put onto a cot hooked up to monitors and basically left uncovered and freezing.

    Shirley was called and went down there but was swamped by all sorts of red tape  (She says they did not want to let him go, as they smelled money!)  Anyway, She finally got him released and hired a stretcher airplane to bring him home.

    He is now in hospital in Charlotte, I guess,  with pneumonia, heart fibrillation, congestive heart failure , prostatitus, and who knows what else.  She says he is so HAPPY to be back home here, and appreciates that he can see friends and family.  They plan to put in a heart  defibrillator--can't remember the name-- you know what it is.  but he is in dire trouble and your prayers for them all would be appreciated.

    They are giving antibiotics, of course, but at his age, he might not pull out of this.  Doctors call pneumonia "The old person's friend."   

    Well, he has had a long life of service to God's people, and  he says he is ready to go,  Life is very hard for him right now due to weakness and prostate trouble.  Our prayer is that God will not let him linger in misery but will give him whichever rest is God's will.

    Love,