Lawyer With a Passion For Philosophy
Gerald Chakerkian ’68
May 1, 2024.
Gerald was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1946. While he spent his career as a lawyer for the federal government in Washington, DC, his passion for philosophy never flagged as he voraciously read his way through the Western canon.
Discussions of philosophy with Gerald could veer to the mystical, often undercut by his mordant, earthy wit. While Gerald was studying philosophy at Reed, he wrote a letter to The Quest in response to an anti-religious article, quoting Shakespeare: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Gerald felt most at home in the beautiful surroundings of the Rio Grande Valley and Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque, where he returned after retirement to settle in the Corrales area. Deeply rooted in his Armenian heritage, he warmly cherished living in the same town as his brother Armen, his sister Artemis, and his extended family.
A deliriously proud grandfather, Gerald kept in close touch with his daughter and his son and their families on the East Coast—and died just the week after returning from a visit to his son, his daughter, and his four grandchildren. He is survived by his daughter, Joanna, his son, Stephen, and his brother, Armen Chakerian ’63. —Contributed by Michael McPherson ’68
Appeared in Reed magazine: Spring 2025
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