World renowned scientists with Armenian connection: Dr. Ziad Beydoun

 I came across this article on Scientific Armenian on Facebook. It is written and posted by By Houry Ellezian.  It is introduced as “World renowned scientists with Armenian connection: Dr. Ziad Beydoun would have been 100 today (1924-1998).” I reproduced the article in my blog to share with interested reader. Had it not been Houry Ellezian's post, I would not have known about this distinguished scientist. Vahe H Apelian   

Ziad Rafiq Beydoun, also known as "Don", was a well-respected world-renowned geologist, a walking encyclopedia where geology of the Middle East was concerned. Wrote so many articles and books, roamed on foot in many Arab countries from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Qatar, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, to the Island of Socotra.

His biography can be read in places like the AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists), the Wikipedia, The Yemen Times, The British-Yemeni Society, and by many other geologists and professors from AUB and elsewhere who knew him well and testified about his integrity and humble personality.

A memorial award was created in his name, “given each year at the annual convention of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists in recognition of the best AAPG poster session paper presented at the previous year's International conference.” See AAPG: Ziad Beydoun Memorial Award (Best International Poster)

Awards that he received:

1. William Smith Medal (1994): “The William Smith Medal is awarded for contributions to applied or economic aspects of geoscience. It is named after the 'Father of English Geology', William Smith (1769–1839), maker of the first geological map of Britain and arguably the pioneer of applied geology.” He received the medal from the Geological Society of London for his "outstanding achievement in petroleum geology". “He joked that it was good to receive the medal while he was still alive.”

2. National Order of the Cedar (1995): “The National Order of the Cedar is the highest state order of Lebanon, established on 31 December 1936”. He received it for his "distinguished services to geological investigations and research" as “Lebanese geologist, Professor of Geology at the American University of Beirut – Knight, 1995.”

3. Science Medal of the Yemen Republic (1998). “Ziad Beydoun died on 7 March 1998. In late September of the same year, the Prime Minister of Yemen presented his widow with the Republic's Science Medal, awarded posthumously to him in recognition of his unique contribution to the study of Yemeni geology.”

Companies he worked for:

1. Iraq Petroleum Company

2. Partex Ltd (Calouste Gulbenkian's firm)

It was through Dr. Beydoun that I first learned about Calouste Gulbenkian being called the 5% man.

3. Marathon Oil Corporation

Most of all, Dr. Beydoun was our teacher, professor, advisor, mentor, and perhaps obscure to many, a great humanitarian. He supported and believed in me at a time when only a few in my community would. To them my career choice sounded so absurd, impractical, amid the ongoing and uncertain civil war. Dr. Beydoun even helped me pay the AUB tuition raise, when both my scholarships combined couldn’t. Thanks to his generosity I graduated with honors.

As I later learned, he had helped many other students, without publicizing it. He used to say, “I couldn’t repay those who helped me as a student, but I can help other students now”.

It is hard to imagine geology without him. He simply transferred all his knowledge and experience to his students. At every lecture he would give us examples from his real-life experiences. We were lucky to be his students but didn’t realize it.

The Lebanese Geological Society:

“In 1977, Beydoun and his colleagues at the AUB formed the Lebanese Geological Society.”

A society that was unfortunately not functional. I still have the membership card but am not aware of its present status.

After graduating and finding a job far away, I couldn’t keep in touch as much. The last time I called, he was fine. He was happy to inform me that my new findings about the formation of “Raouche” had been mentioned during the latest field trip; much different than the theory proposed by the French geologist Louis Dubertret.

That would be my last conversation with him.

The next time I called, they gave me the shocking news that he had passed away!

Rest in eternal peace Dr. Beydoun, for you are not forgotten!

By Houry Ellezian

December 8, 2024