Origin of Tarzan

Sarkis Atamian, the son of immigrant parents who miraculously escaped the genocide of the Armenians by the Turks after World War I, was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Upon graduation from high school, he served in the United States Army in four campaigns during World War II: Italy, France, Germany, and North Africa. Following the war, Sarkis, received his cum laude education at the University of Rhode Island, Brown University, and the University of Utah. After a brief stint with Civil Service, he moved to Alaska and joined the faculty at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. There he served for two terms as head of the Department of Sociology and Psychology. He has had membership in many professional societies including the Egypt Exploration Society, and has guided several student tours to the Land of the Pharaohs. He keeps active membership as a Fellow of the Explorers Club. Sarkis is happily married to Alison C. Betts, a former student, who, he says, is really an angel in mortal disguise. He has retired from University life, and currently resides with his wife in Wasilla, Alaska.