Dr. Edward Magarian
October 3, 1935 ~ November 6, 2021
Edward's Live Stream can be viewed below:
A husband, a father, and grandfather too.
He excelled at each role; he was our foundational glue.
But today, the surely bonds of earth he left behind
Leaving us only with memories we will now jealously mine.
For eighty-six years the world was blessed to have Edward Oscar Magarian (“Ed”). He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and teacher. He passed on November 6, 2021 at the Sanford Hospice House in Fargo. He was at peace, surrounded in love by his beloved wife, Sandy, and his three sons, Ed, Kevin, and Tim.
Ed was born on October 3, 1935 in East St. Louis, the son of a refugee from the Armenian genocide and German-born mother. In 1958, while at college, he realized he could not live happily ever after without his beloved Sandy. So, he called her parents asking for her hand in marriage. On June 27, 1959, they were married, a love story and marriage that would last until his death more than 62 years later. One of the things Ed said to Sandy before he passed was “I love you to the moon and back.”
Ed is survived by his loving wife, Sandy, three children and ten grandchildren.
His oldest son, Ed Magarian, lives with his wife Donna in Minneapolis, and has two children, Brian and Hannah, both of whom live and work in New York City. Ed will be with his family in spirit in New York for the January wedding of his first grandchild, Brian, to the love of his life Caroline Taylor.
Ed’s middle son, Kevin Magarian, lives with his wife Mary in West Fargo, North Dakota and has three children, Chris, Kayla, and Connor, all three of whom live in West Fargo.
Ed’s baby, Tim Magarian, lives with his wife Tracy in Sartell, Minnesota and has five children, Thomas, Adam, Will, Allie and Olivia, all of whom live in Minnesota.
Ed is also survived by his brother, as well as brother and sisters-in-law: Bob and Charmaine Magarian from Norman Oklahoma, Barbara Coleman from Belleville, Illinois, and Greg and Mary Jean Maksudian from Naples, Florida. He is also survived by many cousins and friends, as well as nieces and nephews, Leslie Magarian and Kris Holtzclaw and Cindy and Scott Weisberg, Mike and Betty Maksudian, Steven and Holly Maksudian, Jen, Caroline and Amy Maksudian, Melanie and Dan Lodes, and Julie and Stan Goddard.
Ed was preceded in death by this parents, Leon and Pauline Magarian, his brother, Leon Magarian, his mother and father-in-law, Arnold and Lolly Maksudian, two nephews, Chris Maksudian and Bob Magarian, and his niece Paula Magarian.
Ed graduated from the University of Mississippi and then went on to receive his Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry in 1964. Ed took his first job as a professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Rhode Island that same year. Four years later, in 1967, Ed and Sandy set off for their next adventure with their family in Lexington, Kentucky. Ed became a professor at the University of Kentucky, where he remained until June of 1971. At that time Ed moved his family to their new home in Fargo, North Dakota, where he taught future chemists and pharmacists until 2005. Ed was a beloved professor, and was voted teacher of the year many years, including his last year of teaching in 2005. He was also the faculty advisor for the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Chapter in the College of Pharmacy for many years. Ed touched the lives of many.
A visitation will be held at the Boulger Funeral Home at 123 10th Street South, Fargo, North Dakota 58103 on Thursday, November 11, 2021 from 6 pm to 8 pm, and Friday, November 12, 2021 from 9 am to 10 am. The funeral will also be held at the Boulger Funeral home on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Sanford Hospice House. https://www.sanfordhealthfoundation.org/donate/. The Hospice House helped our husband, father and grandfather pass on in peace, a priceless gift for which our family will be eternally grateful.
Goodbye to our mentor, our hero, our dad
To the moon and back, we love him, and although today we are sad
In time, our tears will be replaced with one big smile
So lucky we had him for such a long while.
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My condolences to the family. Although I have not met you all I do consider Connor as a grandson. I know he loved his grandfather very much. My thoughts and prayers for the family
Jo Baxter
Xavier’s Grandma
The first time I saw Dr. Ed, he was coming through the front door of our home with my cousin Sandy. I was only 10 at the time and I remember thinking what a beautiful picture the two of them made together. As the years went by, I grew to love this wonderful man with his heart of gold, a man who never hesitated to reach out and help people. He was so patient with others as he taught them, and his patience was peppered with his incredible sense of humor. He had all the qualities possessed by a fine teacher and a truly decent human being.
My deepest sympathy to the Magarian family. I enjoyed my conversations with Ed when he came to the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences department to do some research over the years. He would tell me about the cruise the family was just on and he glowed with pride when he talked about his family.
Janet
Administrative Assistant
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
What a beautifully written obituary!
I had the pleasure of being taught by Dr. Magarian during pharmacy school at NDSU in 2003. He was a fantastic teacher–one from whom I learned very much, and maybe more importantly, I still remember what I learned in his class to this day! Now that I’m a professor of pharmacy myself, I can especially appreciate his teaching methods and his humor and connection with students in the classroom. Know that he is fondly remembered.
Ed was such a wonderful colleague at NDSU. He was always willing to mentor young faculty and to develop new programs like the pharmaceutical care program for student pharmacists. He left a permanent legacy and is sorely missed.
I started to teach the Pharmaceutics class in 2006 after Ed retired. Although retired, Ed helped me with his notes, suggestions, and recommendations. I always remember and appreciate his help.
Sandy and family so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. I have fond memories of playing bridge with our bridge club and years of being neighbors. My prayers are with you. Love, Helen Baker
My deepest sympathy and condolences to Dr. Magarian family. I was fortunate to be his young colleague. Dr. Magarian helped the department of pharmaceutical sciences by teaching multiple classes several years after his retirement. Being an excellent teacher I kept requesting him to teach more classes. I fondly remember him saying “Jagdish- I am retired.” Dr. Magarian will be sorely missed and remembered dearly forever in our hearts.
I joined the Pharmacy Practice faculty in 2003. Ed was loved in the classroom by his students and by pharmacists throughout North Dakota. Thank you to the family for sharing Ed with us.
Sandy and family,
I remember when you moved to Fargo. I enjoyed our visits. You are all good people! My Sympathies!
I always loved Uncle Ed’s laugh. It made me smile. I will miss him dearly. My condolences to the family.
I never walked away from Ed without a smile on my face.
We were privileged to know Ed as a neighbor and friend. He superbly served our Home Association in many roles, from webmaster to security expert to chief photographer to block party and Christmas party co-host with his wonderful wife Sandy, and to being our “Santa Claus.”
Ed had a wicked sense of humor and a heart of gold. He will be missed beyond measure.
The following simple poem best expresses my feelings about my departed friend, Ed Magarian:
“I loved my friend
He went away from me
There’s nothing more to say
The poem ends,
Soft as it began-
I loved my friend.”
Rest In Peace, good and loyal friend, until we meet again…
Sincerely,
John Riley Holmen
I’m so sorry for your loss. I went to school with Kevin. The loss of a family member is so hard. hugs and prayers to the family.
My lady Jill and I had the pleasure of becoming friends with Ed and Sandy almost 38 years ago. Watching, with great pleasure, the “boys” growing and developing into Men while Ed busted buttons being so proud of his sons. We had many laughs and great days of playing cards. You will be missed my friend,especially your smiles a hardy laughs with tears streaming from your eyes.
SANDY, ED, KEVIN, AND TIM AND YOUR FAMILIES.
I knew Ed from pharmacy meetings before we came to Fargo. Ed was a terrific, student-oriented pharmacy educator. He was one of the first faculty to adopt the computer as a tool to teach students.
As an administrator, if I needed help or having someone on committees, Ed would always say “YES,” and
he always did more than his share of the work.
As new faculty at NDSU, Ed and Sandy included us in many bridge games. A very well-loved couple.
P.S. we never won.
Our deepest sympathy.
Craig and Carolyn Schnell
Prayers and heartfelt thoughts of sympathy to your wonderful family.
From everyone at Guardian Pharmacy
My deepest sympathy to Sandy and the entire Magarian family in your loss. I felt very honored and blessed to work with Ed during his time at NDSU. He was an excellent faculty member and teacher, as well as an outstanding advisor, mentor and role model to our students. He had a very warm compassionate heart which he extended to everyone he encountered complimented by a great sense of humor that put a smile on everyone’s face. He made NDSU and our College a better place for all who worked there.
My heartfelt sympathies to the Magarian family. Sandy, my parents so enjoyed their time spent together with you and Ed. Peace to you all.
Carol and I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Sandy, Edward, Kevin, Tim and their families over the passing of Ed, who was one of the great friends of my life. Ed joined the pharmacy faculty about six months before we appeared on the scene in February of 1972 after serving two years in the army where I taught pharmacy technicians . Both being new faculty, we became fast friends. Our kids were approximately the same ages making it easy to blend our families. Ed and Sandy had a special way of making you feel like you had known each other for years even though it had only been weeks. Almost every weekend Carol and I would get together with them to eat, play cards, and just enjoy the warmth of Ed and Sandy. We missed them very much when I left to take another position. I am so glad I was able to visit them a couple years ago when one of my former graduate students (a grad of NDSU) was honored by the University. They hadn’t changed a bit. Ed and Sandy- you made Carol’s and my life so much better for allowing us to become a part of yours. I love you Ed- to the moon and back!
I don’t know your family, but we’re probably distantly related. I saw this notice from the church in Belleville, and I want to send my condolences. Like Dr. Magarian, I’m an academic of Armenian and German descent. A few years ago I, like you, I lost my dad at almost exactly the same age, just before he would have turned 86. It’s a terrible kind of loss no matter how long you had with your parent. Everyone needs to deal with the loss in their own way. I wish you all peace and the warmth of loving memories.
I remember living across the street from the Maksudian family in Fairview Heights when you, the Magarian family, would visit. My sisters and I babysat for the boys! I remember each one! Those southern accents! What a sweet family you were. I have such fond memories of those days. My condolences go out to you Sandy, the “boys” and the rest of the family. God bless you. I hope you remember me, the middles daughter.
Dr. Magarian was a kind and gentle soul, whose sense of humor was unique. I use some of the basic pharmacologic skills he passed along to me 20 + years ago on an almost daily basis, dosing warfarin for patients who utilize our rural healthcare facility. His soul is in my thoughts and prayers today.