An Olympic Gold Medalist Creates a Splash
Dr. John Karakash was an extraordinary man whose generosity was equally extraordinary.
Born in 1914 to Greek parents in Istanbul, he represented Turkey as a javelin thrower in the Balkan Olympics and won a gold medal, qualifying for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. But instead of attending the German games, he used his prize money to travel to America, where he had been offered an athletic scholarship to Duke University. Here he earned a B.S. in electrical engineering and then an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. After the war, Karakash helped a team of engineers at Penn develop ENIAC. Coming to Bethlehem’s Lehigh University, in 1966 he began his fifteen-year tenure as Dean of its College of Engineering, serving there until his retirement in 1981.
Fluent in three languages, a brilliant philosopher on many subjects, listed in Who’s Who in America, Dr. Karakash was truly a “Renaissance Man.” He also believed profoundly in giving back to his adopted country. Coming to Kirkland Village in 1997, he was a valued member of our community, recognized in 2003 by Presbyterian Senior Living with one of our highest honors as a member of our Chairman’s Circle.
In 2003 and 2004, Dr. John Karakash gave three major, anonymous gifts in support of the new Fitness and Aquatic Center at Kirkland Village. He was too modest for recognition, but his lead gifts to the campaign reserved for him a naming opportunity in the new Center at the $300,000+ level. Upon his death (in 2006, at age 91) his son gave us permission to reveal his father’s gift and to share his words about it:
“My deeply-held longing is to leave this world just a little bit better than I found it, by supporting ventures that tend to humanize it, while opposing its dehumanization. The world is too large for us to love in its entirety, but we can find ways to lessen the pain of people close at hand who need our help.
I made this contribution to help Kirkland, because of its commitment to help other people. I am convinced of the high purpose of this mission and the quality of its services to older persons. I know – I am a recipient of such services.
To make the world more human, to reduce pain and suffering, to give a lift to those who have suffered loss – this is the spirit of America. Thank you for enabling me to translate my longing into reality. Please use my gift to its best advantage.”
In the John J. Karakash Fitness and Aerobics Rooms in our Fitness and Aquatic Center, an extraordinary image of Dr. Karakash reminds us of the many gifts he brought to our community and our world. We are eternally grateful for Dr. Karakash’s presence among us.