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Taras Votichenko Obituary
94, of Paradise Valley passed away on January 16, 2011. Taras, son of White Russian emigre musician and composer Sacha Votichenko, was born in NY City, grew up in Europe, and attended the Rosey School in Geneva, Switzerland. He returned to the US to complete his education and graduated from Princeton University in 1940. During WWll, he enlisted in the Navy and rose to the rank of Lt. Commander, working directly under Gen. Eisenhower to set up the US military government in newly liberated France. He was especially proud of helping to provide food for the hungry civilian population and his part in the liberation of Paris. After the war, he worked for the OSS as head of the North Africa division. In 1956, he moved from Princeton, NJ with his family to Tempe, Arizona to teach Philosophy and Psychology at AZ State University. He played an integral part in the creation of the Philosophy Dept. and retired as Professor Emeritus after more than 30 years of teaching. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Helen, his three sons, Michael, Peter, and Terry, his Daughter-in-law, Johanna, and grandchildren Alexander, Nikolas, Fredrika, and Jean-Luc. Services will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley at 3:00pm, Thursday, Feb. 3rd. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, and Save the Children.
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Memories and Condolences
for Taras Votichenko
Sponsored by Klaus P. Fischer.
Debra L
March 8, 2016
He was a wonderful, fascinating professor. I was one of his students in 1975. Professor Votichenko was the reason I became a philosophy major. I am grateful that I had the privilege of being taught and inspired by him.
Debra L
March 8, 2016
He was a wonderful, fascinating professor. I was one of his students in 1975. Professor Votichenko was the reason I became a philosophy major. I am grateful that I had the privilege of being taught and inspired by him.
Drayton swartz
August 27, 2013
A remakable teacher and great mentor. I wish I could have been more like him.
Irving Simons
August 12, 2012
Terry..you were my inspiration, and I will never forget the good times as well as the not so good whilst in graduate school, at ASU. Our travels to Europe opened my mind to the fine art world. I think about Sacha often.. RIP Taras..My love to Helen..
Klaus Fischer
February 8, 2011
His penetrating intellect, his engaging teaching style and his witty personality made him (in my estimation) the best teacher in the Liberal Arts division. I took five memorable courses with him, and he inspired me to do doctoral work in the History of Ideas, which turned out to be the best of all possible world that combined philosophy and history. I am greatly saddened by his passing.
Judi Kemp
January 31, 2011
Johanna and Peter,
Terry and Ann and Mom are here with Jim and I tonight. We send our love and condolences to you and the family at the loss of such a gentle giant of a man. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love and hugs, the California Gang
Rika and Luc Votichenko
January 31, 2011
His only granddaughter, Fredika and his youngest grandson, Jean-Luc loved GRandfather Taras. Rest.
Trudy & David Miller
January 30, 2011
Trudy and David Miller knew Taras and Helen Votichenko first, because we were teachers at the Verde Valley School, 1965-70, where Peter was a student. Taras spoke there several times and always inspired lively and thoughtful conversations on any subject and with anybody. Socrates was always nearby and a favored saint. Helen is an equal partner in our friendship. Through good times and bad times, he and she were joyful and inspiring, and she carries on. We wish we could be there on the 3rd, and we hope young Terry will feel satisfaction for the loyal and intimate support he has given so generously for so long.
Helenmarie Slater
January 28, 2011
Sending our thoughts and prayers to all the Votichenko's for your loss. Love, Helenmarie, Jimmy, Gabriela & Isabela
Samm and Kirk Snow
January 26, 2011
We remember all the great times we had with Taras and Helen, graciousness, generosity, challenging dinner conversations! We send our love to Helen, Micheal, Peter, Joei and Terry.
Morgan Pickering
January 24, 2011
My father and "Vot" were best friends since their boading school days in Europe. I had the distinct pleasure and honor to have been introduced to the Vots when I was a teenager. Both Vot & Helen were my surrogate parents while I was attending graduate school in Az. Their love and support was instrumental in my growth and happiness. Our times together in Venice and outside of Rome were some of the happinest moments in my life. I will never forget Vot! He was an icon, a true renaissance man. I will miss him greatly.
Garance Lowenstein
January 23, 2011
as my brother,Guermantes wrote, we the Lowenstein, grew up with the Votichenko,back in the late fiftys, both fathers, Milton and Taras met at ASU, while Taras's wife Helen met our mother, Francoise going horseback riding, I have personally grew very close to the Votichenko's since I was a teen ager, I remember Taras always having conversations, of how the world has change in so many ways..I will miss him and will stay in my heart for a very long time, as well as the rest of the familly..
Theodore Guleserian
January 23, 2011
I was a younger colleague of Terry Votichenko in the Department of Philosophy at Arizona State University for more than 15 years before he retired from teaching there. I am still teaching there, with fond memories of having lunch with Terry, discussing free will, existentialism, the concept of violence, God, and the human condition. I saw him as a dedicated teacher who loved his work, and I respected him for that. He experienced more than his share of suffering, with dignity, and I will always remember and respect him for that as well. --Ted Guleserian
January 23, 2011
I was a student in Mr. Votichenko's philosophy class at then Arizona State College, graduating in 1958. He was a marvelous, engaging instructor and his class was the favorite of all my courses. I still have the text book from that class. I did not know at the time of his important role in WWII, and admire him all the more for his contributions to that epic effort.. His was certainly a life well-lived. Rest in peace, sir. --- Andrew A. Limber - Scottsdale, Arizona
The Lailari Family (Guermantes, Stefani, Aliza, Natan, and Ze'ev)
January 22, 2011
Dearest Votichenko family,
Our deepest sympathies to Taras' family and friends.
Our families grew up together and shared happy and sad times. Taras was a spark to me during my formative years and continued to be an inspiration throughout my life. One debate that we had that is still unresolved is whether the natural state of man is peace interrupted by war or is the natural state of man war interrupted by intermittent peace. I hope he is right--he took the former position. I recall his amazing OSS work after WWII. It was always a great pleasure to talk to the heroes of the "Greatest Generation." Taras was certainly one of those and one of the few that I had the honor of knowing.
Nick Borze
January 22, 2011
College student ASU 1970's. He helped make my experience in college a great one. He was one of the more interesting professors I had and opened up my eyes to many things that I still study to this day. He was a fun person to be around with a keen sense of humour.
The Rosets, Kemps and Haydu families
January 22, 2011
To Peter, Johanna, Helen and family,
Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to you and all the family at the passing of this honorable and gracious man.
Geraldine Lykins
January 22, 2011
Very fond memories of Taras will be treasured. I feel sincerely that his special and exemplary life will be celebrated by all who knew him.
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