Gorken Melikian
1935 - 1993

HIGHLIGHTS
Gorken was the youngest child of Onnik and Elmas Melikian. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1935, and attended local schools. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in 1956, and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1957. During his career at United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Connecticut, he developed a number of new technological advances for airplane engines, indoor air cooling, and lasers, earning eight patents. He was also active in the family real estate business, managing properties in Indian Orchard and partnering with his brother Takvor and brother-in-law Charlie Cavros to run the Willow Glen House restaurant in East Longmeadow, MA. He married Judith Barnett in 1966, and had two daughters, Lisa and Erin. He died in 1993 of aggressive thyroid cancer.
FAMILY CONNECTIONS
PARENTS SIBLINGS SPOUSE CHILDREN
Onnik Melikian Shaken Melikian Judith Barnett Lisa Melikian Natcharian
Elmas Melikian Takvor Melikian Erin Melikian Bibber

Gorken posing on a pony that a photographer brought
around his city neighborhood, circa 1940


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Gorken spent his 36-year career as a mechanical engineer at United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Connecticut. He joined the lab in 1957 as a research engineer, and held increasingly responsible positions until he was named Manager of Advanced Building Systems in 1992. The director of the Research Center had this to say about Gorken:
"Gorken enjoyed the wonders of technology. He made significant contributions to the development of new systems and concepts in refrigeration, indoor air quality, comfort control and electronic systems. He authored several technical publications and held eight patents. Gorken will be best remembered for his unique leadership qualities and the exceptional job he did leading our Carrier (Air Conditioning Branch) technology program. He truly walked in his customer's shoes. He had a special talent for understanding Carrier's needs and knowing how to get the job done. He was widely respected by all those who worked with him, not only for his technical expertise, but also for his kind ways. Gorken always valued his colleagues' ideas and opinions and made them feel good about their talents and contributions."

Onnik, Shaken, Takvor, Salpie, Elmas, Gorken
circa 1937

Gorken on a visit to the Davitian relatives in West Virginia


LEFT: Gorken & Judy's wedding day, November 23, 1966
ABOVE: Gorken and Lisa on her third birthday

The Willow Glen House Restaurant