Aleks Arutyunov

Aleksandr Ivanovich Arutyunov of Idaho Falls passed away Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

He was born Jan. 24, 1938, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Aleks graduated from Baku Pedagogical University in 1964 and was a teacher of mathematics for more than 26 years at a Baku high school. He became a refugee due to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia and moved to Sevan, Armenia, where he lived for three years.

In 1992, he received refugee status at the American Embassy in Moscow, Russia. He came to Idaho Falls in October 1993 with his wife, two sons and mother-in-law. Idaho Falls became his home, where he enjoyed friendly companionships and the outdoors.

Aleks spent his time reading, teaching math to his good friend Jim Donovan, bicycling, swimming and other physical activities.

He worked at Johnson Bros and Hi-Tech before he joined Harris Publishing as building caretaker in 2000. He was very close to his family and became very fond of his second family at Harris Publishing.

Aleks was known to his co-workers and friends at Harris Publishing as a man of quiet and friendly disposition. He always brought a smile and a pleasant "hello" each day. It would be surprising to some to learn that he was an avid cyclist and enjoyed competing.

Aleks loved his family dearly -- they spent summers in a small house in the Moscow region of Russia, where the days were filled with nature hikes, swimming and enjoying each other's company.

The mysteries surrounding Aleks and his journey from a conflict-ridden country, where he and his family fled for their lives, only add to the awe-inspiring spirit that surrounded him. Everyone who met him was intrigued with his beautiful smile and deeply humble demeanor. He will always be in the hearts of those who knew him and those who met him briefly. It has been a privilege to know and learn about this honorable man.

Survivors include his sons, Sergey Aleksandrovich Arutyunov and Vladislav Aleksandrovich Arutyunov; his former wife, Nina Vaganovna Arutyunova (married from 1964 to 1996); and his older brother, Yuri Ivanovich Arutyunov, who still lives in Rostov-Don, Russia.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ivan Mirzovich Arutyunov; his mother, Nina Mikhailovna Likhacheva; and his son, Vadim Aleksandrovich Arutyunov.

Memorial services for Aleks will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, with a visitation for family and friends beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Milo Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.