Stefan “Steve” Karadian

1929

31-Jul-2012, Dearborn, Michigan, USA

Stefan “Steve” Karadian (1929 – 31-Jul-2012, Dearborn, Michigan, USA) was a respected member of the Detroit Armenian community, known for his dedication to family, heritage, and service. He graduated from Highland Park High School and served three years in the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany, during the Korean War. After returning to civilian life, he embarked on a successful 33-year career in banking, ultimately serving as a vice-president and branch manager.

Steve was also a passionate numismatist and philatelist, renowned for his extensive collection of Near Eastern stamps, covers, and posters. His advocacy played a key role in the issuance of the William Saroyan commemorative stamp in 1991, and his collection centered on Saroyan became widely recognized. As a member of numerous stamp and coin clubs, Steve actively shared his knowledge and artifacts with others, fostering appreciation for Armenian heritage.

During the 1988 Armenian earthquake, he used his skills as a ham radio operator to reconnect families with loved ones in Armenia when communication lines were down. For his efforts, he earned recognition from the Federation of the Radio Sport of Armenia and donated radios to improve emergency communication in the region.