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Haig Bosmajian Obituary
Haig Aram Bosmajian, 86, University of Washington Professor Emeritus of Speech Communication (1964-99) died of prostate cancer four weeks ago on June 17.
Born in Fresno, CA, Haig earned his PhD from Stanford (1960). His research at the time began his life-long interest in the use and misuse of language and in the importance of First Amendment Rights.
After teaching at the University of Connecticut, Haig found a congenial environment for teaching and writing at the University of Washington (1964). He published and edited many books and received public acknowledgement for his work. The National Council of Teachers of English presented him with the George Orwell Award in 1983, The Washington State Authors Award was presented to him for The Language of Oppression in 1984, followed by the Western Speech Association's Bi-Centennial Bill of Rights Award in 1991 and the Northwest Communications Association's Human Rights Award in 1993.
When he retired, Haig continued his research and writing-Burning Books (2006) and Anita Whitney, Justice Brandeis, and the First Amendment (2010) were his last statements of the fragility and the importance of free expression.
Haig is survived by Hamida, his wife and best friend for 57 years, by Harlan, his son who teaches at Emerson College and lives in Cambridge, MA with his wife Andrea Meyer and their son, Aidan Bosmajian.
A very private person, Haig expressed no wish for memorial services. Gifts in his honor may send to the local American Civil Liberties Union or the Seattle Shakespeare Company
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Haig Bosmajian
Sponsored by The Family.
Jim Krueger
December 2, 2017
Mr. Bosmajian you were my favorite and most memorable professor from my time at UW in the late 70's. I often use the insights you taught us in rhetoric, propaganda and politics. Your book, The Language Of Oppression is a must read for our current political climate. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
Diane Russell
November 18, 2016
My favorite professor at UW. I took every class he offered during my time there. I miss him. I know he could have enlightened so many with the new language of oppression that this country is speaking today. Your knowledge and compassion for the First Amendment was remarkable, outstanding and unforgettable. You are missed.
Susan Donaldson
June 20, 2016
I just learned of Haig Bosmajian from a reference in the most recent "Teaching Tolerance", in which an unnamed Washington-State high-school teacher is quoted as saying that in the uncomfortable climate of this year's presidential campaigns, she is deliberately having her classes read "...Howard Zinn, Anne Frank, Haig Bosmajian, Jane Yolen, Ayn Rand, George Orwell, and survivors' testimonies from the Holocaust and the genocides around the world.... I feel like I am teaching for [students'] lives." (14) Reading through that list of authors' names, I thought, "Haig Bosmajian? Who's that?" Having read through his obituary, I wish I'd known before, but will seek out at least one of his books to read over the summer.
Diana Smith
September 24, 2014
I got to know Haig when I worked in the undergraduate advising office in the Dept. of COM. I felt sad to lean of his passing. He was such a nice man & so influential in his research & his concentration on our freedoms, especially freedom of speech & the 1st amendment. I got to know him a little bit because of a book he gave me called "Something Went Wrong." He made some major contributions to our body of knowledge & was a real treasure because of this.
Judy Knopp
July 19, 2014
Dear Hamida,
I am very sorry to read of the loss of your lifelong companion and love. I became acquainted with you through taking Alumni literature courses at Seattle U. --which I enjoyed so much because of your personal investment in teaching. I feel a special sympathy for you in your loss of your husband with whom you shared so much of your life, your time and your thoughts. My heartfelt prayers remain with you.
Anna Jacoby
July 17, 2014
Dear Harlan,
I am so sorry. But how very fortunate you are to have such parents. There isn't anything I can say to make saying good-bye easier. You, your mother, and family will be there for each other and will endure.
Sincerely, Anna Jacoby
July 15, 2014
Hamida~My thoughts and prayers are with you and Harlan. May your many memories comfort you.~Joanie
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