Robert [No Name Given] and Ashe [No Name Given]
Robert [No Name Given] and Ashe [No Name Given] Robert [No Name Given] and Ashe [No Name Given] Robert [No Name Given] and Ashe [No Name Given] Robert [No Name Given] and Ashe [No Name Given]

Robert [No Name Given] and Ashe [No Name Given]

Recorded May 28, 2022 Archived May 28, 2022 32:52 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id: atl004640

Description

Ashe [No Name Given] (41) talks with her father, Robert "Rob" [No Name Given] (71), about his childhood in Troy, New York, and being part of an Armenian American family.

Subject Log / Time Code

00:54
Rob [no last name given] (71) says he grew up in Troy, New York, as part of an Armenian American family. He says his dad owned a grocery store with his three brothers.
1:39
Rob says he started working in the store at around age 10. He says his mom was a housewife. He says his family lived in a typical suburban neighborhood and that he had lots of friends.
2:35
Rob talks about the Armenian genocide of the late 1800s.
3:22
Rob says his paternal grandfather came to the United States in 1916. He says he was a tailor by trade and sent money home to bring over another family member.
5:13
Rob says he believes many family members on his mother's side were killed. He says his maternal grandfather walked out of Turkey and into Syria. He says his mother was born in Aleppo, Syria. Rob says she came to Troy, New York, in 1948, to attend college.
7:50
Rob says the family stories he heard growing up were about migration and not the genocide itself.
8:55
Rob talks about the importance of education. He says the older generation was not very knowledgeable about career opportunities. He says they told the younger generation to go for their dreams.
11:04
Ashe [no last name given] (41) asks Rob how he met his future wife, Ginny. He says she had dated a friend of his and that it didn't work out. He says he clicked with her.
12:49
Rob says Ginny had been married once already and had 2 children. He says they decided to get married and were together for 45 years.
13:38
Rob says his life has exceeded his expectations. He talks about his career and family. He says he has made enough money to live in nice houses and go on vacations.
15:02
Rob talks about trade offs and tension. He says you can not have everything.
15:55
Rob talks about being ill-prepared for parenthood.
18:40
Rob talks about the chronic mental health issues in the family. He says his wife battled depression and bipolar disorder. He says it was a constant battle for her to feel good about herself.
20:41
Rob talks about losing his son, Mark, to an opioid overdose. He talks about Ginny having Alzheimer's disease.
23:06
Rob says he is thankful they got to keep Ginny at home until the end.
24:15
Ashe asks what advice Rob would give to his younger self. Rob says he would have liked to focus more on the present and not the future.
25:48
Rob talks about some of the happiest times in his life. He says more of his life has been happy than not.
27:19
Rob says he would like to work for several more years. He says the family is expanding, and he wants to get to know everyone.
29:07
Ashe asks how Rob would like to be remembered. He says he hopes his students have walked away with something useful.
30:19
Ashe asks what brings Rob joy. Rob says his family. He says he likes discovery and nature. He says he will have more time now to read.
31:25
Ashe talks about all that Rob has instilled in his kids. She talks about choosing love and says she appreciates her dad talking with her.

Participants

  • Robert [No Name Given]
  • Ashe [No Name Given]

Recording Locations

Atlanta History Center

Venue / Recording Kit