User:EtienneDolet/Ben Amirkhanian

Ben Amirkhanian (July 17, 1915) is a

Life
Of Armenian descent, Ben Amirkhanian was born in Amirkhanian's father was born in Bitlis, Ottoman Empire. He decided to move to America and stopped in Marseille, France in order to collect enough move to move to the United States. He moved to New York where he would meet his wife. While in Marseille, he learned a lot about the printing business. His wife was also an Armenian woman from Erzurum, Ottoman Empire. He eventually moved to Fresno, California where he graduated from the Fresno State College in 1937 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. However, he was unable to get a job as a teacher in the area. During World War II, Amirkhanian served the American Army and was retired with the rank of Major. He is the guiding force and founder of the annual Saroyan Festival which honors the life and work of William Saroyan. He was also instrumental in organizing the Fresno Ballet and served on the board of directors for many years.

He is the father of Charles Amirkhanian.