Gregory F. Goekjian

Greg was a great man and a great friend.

I was a student in one of Dr. Goekjian's literary theory courses 40+ years ago. May he have known that he has been and will always be one of the most important influences in my life. I am forever indebted by the singular intellectual--which includes ethical--example he set for me. The gratitude I owe him remains an incalculable blessing.

I was a student in his literary criticism class. I´ll never forget him telling us he was a Freedom Fighter in the Civil Rights Movement. I was mesmerized by his lectures

Dearest Jane and Family, A remembered look of amusement, a wry comment, a sage observation, a kindly moment of support, ...these return again and again keeping our Greg alive. I send you heartfelt love and prayers for continued healing!

When I visited and lived in Portland, I met Greg a few times at Greek functions. We had some interesting discussions about the Greek and Armenian Genocides. I found Greg an interesting and likeable person during my interactions with him.

I met Greg at PSU in 1998. He was a wonderful man and a dear friend to me. I learnt a lot from him.

The few times that our crossed paths were always with his loving sister Valerie and those times were always very enjoyable. I remember when Greg arrived at Val's Dante Avenue apartment in Tuckahoe NY soon after she received her masters degree and started working in Christian education at St. Varten Armenian Cathedral in New York City. His beautiful gift to Val was a unique multi-time assemble-and-disassemble couch-bed. What craftmanship! Greg had a special talent that he shared generously...

As others have noted, his faux-hubris hid a palpable humility. I really, really, really liked him.

Greg came into my life as the kid brother of my best friend, Mary. He remained as my dear and cherished friend, gifting me with his fierce intelligence, tender heart and a wry humor all his own. Connecting with him never failed to gladden my heart! In spite of a 3,000 mile distance between us, the world felt safer with him in it...less so now. Meeting Greg's lovely wife Jane, was an added bonus. In just one evening, I felt we had always known each other. What a special lady! It is with...