Armed with Integrity

Co-authored by Robert Thomasian during the last year of his life, and written by David Stuursma, Armed With Integrity, is a personified account of the words character, discipline and leadership as they relate to patriotism, the family, and the work that is asked of every living person.

Co-authored by Robert Thomasian during the last year of his life, and written by David Stuursma,Armed With Integrity, is a personified account of the words character, discipline and leadership as theyrelate to patriotism, the family, and the work that is asked of every living person. Civilization, for it to survive, places upon man certain duties: to fight for that which is right, to train and educate children using moral standards, and to work to make things better. In every circle of his life — as an American, a son of the Armenian Genocide, as a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1947), a full Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, a manager at AT&T, and as a husband and father — Robert Thomasian chose to anchor a lifetime of work in the bedrock of integrity.

In December of 2005, Robert Thomasian called asking for advice on how to write his lifestory, intending to complete it himself. Four months later, he called again. His situation changed; time had become a factor. “I really don’t know what to expect. I’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer, and this is a project I want competed. With you writing my story, how long do you think it will take?” he asked. “That’s hard to say, Bob. We haven’t even met yet,” I said. “I’ll be in town in a couple weeks. We’ll talk more then.” Bob and I hit it off quickly. Although I could never match his level of personal conviction, he felt convinced that I understood him—that mattered a lot to both of us. His story deserves to be told with accuracy. Bob and I were unable to finish his book together, and that was tough on him. He was not one to leave anything undone. His passing was tough on me, too. Bob is a man who is very easy to respect because he showed respect to the life he was given. His perspective on living was noble. I will miss him. – David Stuursma