Email a copy of 'Final Farewell for Andrew Kevorkian, Keeper of the Armenian Flame' to a friend
Loading ...
Henrik Eger
Henrik Eger, editor of "Drama Around the Globe," is a bilingual playwright and author of articles, interviews, and books. He was born and raised in Germany and received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He served as the German translator for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize mail. A tenured professor of English and Communication, he taught in six countries on three continents.
Latest posts by Henrik Eger (see all)
- Final Farewell for Andrew Kevorkian, Keeper of the Armenian Flame - April 27, 2017
Absolutely wonderful tribute to this great man.It captured his his intellect, his savoir faire and Big Heart.
Dear Mary Ann Kibarian,
What a kind comment about Andy Kevorkian and this tribute. I owe a great deal to Corinne P. Kevorkian, Andrew’s niece from France who now lives in New York, for additional information. And I appreciate the work done by the Armenian Weekly in documenting the plight but also the culture of Armenians, both here and abroad.
May the next generation of Armenians recognize what a treasure they inherited, even though it’s drenched in tears and blood of their ancestors.
Kind regards from Philadelphia,
Henrik Eger, Ph.D.
Editor, http://www.DramaAroundTheGlobe.com
I knew Andrew as a deeply committed Armenian American activist, thinker, and writer.
I will miss him very much.
David Boyajian, it’s good to hear that you, too, valued Andrew Kevorkian’s thinking and writing. You even experienced him as an activist. Do you have a sens that the younger generation of Armenians still realizes how important it is to continue carrying that flame forward? If so, I’m sure Andrew would be delighted.
Kind regards,
Henrik Eger, Ph.D.
Editor, http://www.DramaAroundTheGlobe.com
The Armenian flame is still alive, giving strength to the survivors, to the generation that followed, to the generations to come–provided we reach out to each other around the world in support of all Armenians, all those who were maligned and persecuted.
We don’t have to be Armenians to recognize that, in many ways, we all are Armenians–moving forward with a nurturing fire within us, giving warmth to the world, and honoring all those who were not given that chance.
Andrew Kevorkian was one of those who kept that flame alive wherever he went. Thank you, Andy, for never giving up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx7uAMf75fA
Well written obituary for an incredible man who will be missed. Thanks Henrik for your interest in the Armenian culture and community.
I sit here prior to heading to work Monday to turn in my playbook, as it were, rounding out a 49-year marketing communications career, and, because this is Philadelphia, Andrew Kevorkian’s name comes to mind. So I google him, only to read his recent obituary.
The back story is, I wrote him, and scores of ad/PR agency others, a clever May 1973 letter explaining how I’d just spent four years promoting one of the least liked entities in Vietnam-era America, the U.S. Navy, and so I could surely promote whatever needed a boost upon my return. Here’s his gracious 7/6/73 reply, albeit sounding eerily contemporary:
“Please accept my apologies for the tardiness in replying to your letter of May 31. Believe me when I say that it was the press of business and not rudeness that cause the delay.
“Unfortunately, I cannot be encouraging to you with regard to employment–either here or, generally, in the field. As you have learned, things are quite rough, and the job situation and general business psychology during this Nixon Boom are fast equaling the negative aspects that prevailed during the Hoover Boom of the early 1930s. Many good persons with far great experience than yours and with extremely fine credentials are long out of work. The few jobs that are available are quickly gobbled up at the lowest bid. A most revolting situation!
“I am sorry that I am so negative. But, keep trying!”
WOWWW…Kudos to me for making a few bucks and living to tell the story, huh! But I’ve always appreciated the gesture, the candor the heartfelt integrity of a man I never met. Having long felt that I should frame his sincere, if frightening words, now that I no longer need that job, I gratefully will.
I did not know Andrew Kevorkian but knew his brother, Aram, who was such a beautiful writer and I looked forward to receiving his articles each month. I was born in Philadelphia and my father was a subscriber to his father’s newspaper, The Groong. I had the good fortune to meet Aram in San Francisco in honor of William Saroyan where he spoke of his client and friend. Another loss of brilliant and talented writers. I also have visited Chunkoush.
I will miss you my dear friend. You enlightened me and taught me so much about kindness and friendship.