PHOENIX, Az. — Gregory Melikian, a US Army veteran, community leader and longtime benefactor of Arizona State University, passed away peacefully on July 14.
Two weeks earlier, with Emma, his wife of 70 years, and his four children and their own families, he celebrated his hundredth birthday and a lifetime of remarkable accomplishments and contributions.
Melikian was born in New York City in 1924. He was the only son of Armenian immigrants who escaped the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and committed themselves wholeheartedly to their new country. His father came to the United States as an orphan and served in the US Army in World War I; his mother was a refugee in Syria and Bulgaria before coming to America.
Like many new US citizens, they placed value in education. Their son, though, interrupted his studies to serve in the US Army during World War II. Gregory served from 1943 to 1946, becoming a highly skilled radio operator. In 1945, he was serving on the staff of the Allied commander-in-chief in Europe, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Melikian was tasked with sending the message announcing the unconditional surrender of Germany. Eisenhower gifted the original copy of the telegram to the young soldier.
Melikian returned to civilian life to complete his law degree in New York City and established a successful practice there. After he met and married Emma, the young couple began investing in real estate in Arizona as well as in New York. In 1969, they moved with their four young children to Phoenix. Among their most notable investments was the purchase, restoration and preservation of the iconic Hotel San Carlos in downtown Phoenix.
Melikian was a patron of the arts and education, supporting organizations including the Phoenix Symphony and the Arizona Opera Company. ASU held a special place for the Melikian family; all four of Gregory and Emma’s children attended ASU. In 2001, the Melikians established the Melikian Fund to support language learning, and in 2006, they endowed The Melikian Center at ASU.
