Dr. Jack Johnston’s Recollection of Haroutioun Hovanes Chakmakjian
Dr. Jack Johnston grew up in the same Arlington Massachusetts neighborhood as Alan Hovhaness. Jack has many fond memories of that neighborhood and especially the “Professor” Haroutioun Hovanes Chakmakjian (Alan’s father), who took Jack under his wing. Jack also has historical knowledge of the Revolutionary War and World War II, in addition Jack was a professional baseball player and scout, and commits much of his time to the community.
Haroutioun Hovanes Chakmakjian was not only a chemistry professor, the author of an English-Armenian dictionary, but was also the father of Alan Hovhaness. Chakmakjian was born in Adana, Ottoman Empire on October 20, 1878. He studied at the Apcarian High school in Adana and at Antoura French Missionary College in Beirut. He began his teaching career in Gensaria and in Giresun. He later taught French in Beirut during the time of the Ottoman massacres of Armenians. His family escaped to Cyprus, but Chakmakjian headed to France on a boat called the “Poseidon”. The boat was grounded on a rock, and to avoid being captured by the Turks, he pretended to be a Frenchman. He was finally able to board a ship to France, and from France he boarded a ship to the United States. He eventually settled in Boston, where he studied at Harvard University from 1905 to 1908. Chakmakjian returned to Harvard in 1912 and obtained an AB degree in 1913. He later served as professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Tufts College. In 1955, Chakmakjian retired from Tufts University as a professor emeritus.
Michael Armanious (Arlington Community Media) has a series of memorable interviews with Jack Johnston. Click the links below to view some of his interviews with Jack Johnston on Facebook:
- When POWs Farmed Arlington’s Fields
- Arlington’s Tea and Scone Diplomacy: Bridging Ireland’s Divide
- Tokyo Triumph: Arlington Raiders’ Bold 1942 Mission
- A Professor’s Legacy: Turning Loss into Light
Jack Johnston’s Talk of the Town YouTube video can be viewed at:
