“The
Quiet Lion”
A short Biography of Brother Robert
S. Seklemian
Born: April 20, 1898 Died: April 6,
1984 at 85 years of age Preceded in death by Sr. Ruth (Mathison) in 1981 Survived by their
only son, Robert, and three grandchildren ONE does not often meet a person of Brother
Robert's remarkable character. Those who knew him best remember him as quiet but
unyielding, never antagonistic, but loyal to the spirit and doctrines of the truth. A
character which combines both strength and gentleness is remarkable at any age in history,
but especially so in the tumultuous world in which we live --today.
Of Armenian parentage Brother
Seklemian's father was taken prisoner by the Turks during their slaughter of the Armenians
in the 1880s. Released from prison his father, mother, and two brothers immigrated to
America. While awaiting the train in the darkness at a remote station, one of the boys
disappeared and the distraught parents were unable to call out lest they --attract
attention to themselves.
After a frantic search, however, the
son was found safe and sound, asleep under a bench. In America three more boys were born
one of whom was Brother Robert. He often delighted in his father's tale of herding sheep
as a boy at the foot of Mount Ararat. One day an old man came down from the mountain and
told him he had seen the ark up there. The young shepherd boy dreamed of climbing up the
mountain one day to see it but he never had the opportunity.
Brother Robert's first exposure to
the truth was as a teenager in California. At the age of 20 he left the Fresno area to
serve at “Bethel,” the Watchtower Society's headquarters in Brooklyn,
N.Y., under “Judge” Rutherford. For a number of years he was in charge of the
radio work there, writing and narrating a 15-minute weekly radio program. He possessed a
good voice and did some singing on the programs also.
During this period of time the
teachings of the Society were undergoing constant change, but Brother Seklemian endeavored
to keep the radio message consistent with the truth. One day at the radio station he had
just finished his usual broadcast sermon when the door opened in the broadcasting room and
in walked the Judge.
He asked Brother Robert: “Who
prepares your radio transcripts?” Brother Robert replied that he did. The Judge
replied: “You're never to teach what you taught today again. From now on someone else
will prepare the transcripts for you.” To this Brother Robert replied in his usual
gentle fashion that if someone else could prepare the transcripts, then someone else could
also broadcast them. With that Brother Robert left the radio station never to return. He
pondered what he had said that the Judge had so strenuously objected to. He soon found
out! Brother Robert's sermon that day had been on the subject of the ransom. At that time
the Judge was writing a book to prove that the ransom did not apply to Adam.
Brother Robert joined RCA
Communications in 1923 as a secretary. (He and Sister Ruth were married that same year.)
During his 44-year career with the company, he progressed through various managerial
positions in almost every department including Radio Communications, Accounting, and Real
Estate. In his spare time he obtained a Master's degree in Law, a degree in Engineering,
and a Real Estate Brokerage license. He studied for his law degree on the train he took to
and from work each day. The beautiful home they lived in on Long Island was the sole
product of his own handiwork.
He enjoyed writing. All this time he
remained active in and thoroughly devoted to the truth. After leaving the Society in the
1940's, he and Sister Ruth were isolated from the brethren until 1956 when a class was
formed in their area of Sayville, N.Y. Brother Seklemian served the ecclesia there as
elder until 1962. At that time he requested and received a transfer to California as
manager of the San Francisco office, a position he held until his retirement in 1967.
It was in the fall of 1962 that he
began to write radio scripts for the Japanese work, a role for which his previous
background in radio had developed him. Later he expended considerable editorial labors on
the “Expanded Biblical Comments.” He remained active in the Lord's
service until his death.
In ill health for some years before
his death, Brother Robert longed to be taken home. Those who visited with him during this
time said that with his deep set eyes and beard (he was unable to shave due to a painful
condition in his hands) he looked every bit the image of a Biblical prophet. No more
fitting memory of this beloved brother canbe imagined for beneath his gentle outward
demeanor he was, as one brother expressed it, “like a rock.” Those who knew him
best loved him most.
Thus ended the earthly career of
Brother Robert Seklemian, the quiet lion.
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