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Roy Essoyan, who died March 22 at age 92 at his home in Pupukea, got his U.S. citizenship in Hawaii but was truly a citizen of the world. Born in Japan to Armenian parents, he later moved to Shanghai, then immigrated to Hawaii after World War II. Here he became an American and married Star-Bulletin reporter Betsey Biggs before setting off on an international career as a reporter and bureau chief for The Associated Press.
One unforgettable moment in his career came in February 1960, after he was thrown out of Moscow in 1958, accused of violating Soviet censorship for breaking the news of a serious breach between the Soviet Union and China. Premier Nikita Khrushchev spotted him at a press conference in Indonesia and called him up to the stage. The Soviet leader pointed to Essoyan’s baseball cap, saying, "This is the sort of thing that baffles me about the United States. America is such a rich country, and you Americans wear rags like this." Essoyan, who besides English and Japanese spoke Russian, agreed that the cap was not fancy, but said it was handy in the hot Indonesian sun. He then playfully placed it on Khrushchev’s head.
Essoyan worked in Moscow, Hong Kong, Cairo, Beirut and Tokyo before retiring in Hawaii. One of his four children, Stanford graduate Susan Essoyan, followed his footsteps into journalism and is a reporter for the Star-Advertiser. Last night the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan held a memorial to honor Essoyan, who wound up his career as chief of North Asia services for AP. "Roy Essoyan understood Japanese feelings and always took care of his local staff," said Shigeyoshi Kimura, a retired AP newsman in Tokyo. "Roy was the first bureau chief to promote staff social interaction — invitations to AP events, outings and visits at his home. Appreciating Japanese reticence, he encouraged wives and children to join in, saying ‘Everyone’s a member of our AP family.’ He was the best." …
KHRUSHCHEV didn’t like baseball caps, but no doubt isle baseball lovers will be wearing them when they honor Alexander Joy Cartwright, inventor of the "modern" game of baseball, on his 192nd birthday Tuesday at his Oahu Cemetery tombstone, 10 a.m. Alexander Cartwright IV will be here for the event. Speakers include Jim Becker, who incidentally worked overseas with Essoyan, and Don Robbs, Gordon Sakamoto, Don Chapman, Jack Sullivan, Phil Kinnicott, Jim Leahey, Pal Eldredge and Korky Gallagher. Lyle Nelson is the organizer. The public is invited …
"VOICES OF Palama Settlement," a documentary commemorating the social service agency’s history, challenges and dedication to those who live in the Palama, Liliha and Kalihi communities, will air on KFVE at 6 p.m. Sunday. Former Govs. Ben Cayetano and George Ariyoshi, and Cha Thompson, Brother Noland, Ben Aipa, noted former athletes, kupuna and others will share their stories of Palama Settlement and how it has touched their lives …
FORTY-FIVE years ago today I was hired full time by the Star-Bulletin when I came home after some 10 years in Germany with Stars and Stripes newspaper, two years as a soldier and the remainder as a civilian. I was there during the Cold War when Essoyan was booted out of Russia …
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Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
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