It is with great sadness that I announce the passing on March 3 of Harry Apkarian ’46, member of the Rensselaer Board of Trustees — serving continually since 1969, as adjunct, active, and most recently, honorary trustee — and longtime friend of the Institute. 

Long before anyone trumpeted this region as Tech Valley, an imaginative engineer named Harry Apkarian was paving the way for a high-technology boom in the greater Capital Region and helping ensure that Rensselaer would play a central role in it.  In the more than 60 years since graduating from Rensselaer, this indefatigable entrepreneur distinguished himself as a visionary businessman, a peerless community leader, a generous mentor, a thoughtful benefactor, and a true son of Rensselaer — always with a smile and his straightforward manner. 

Mr. Apkarian’s first entrepreneurial initiative nearly half a century ago prefigured by decades the Capital Region’s emergence as a growth center for high-technology industry. After graduating from Rensselaer in 1946 with a degree in mechanical engineering, and then managing GE’s engineering laboratory for 15 years, he struck out on his own in 1961, co-founding Mechanical Technology Inc. to create and commercialize new technologies. Today, the company is now developing a micro fuel cell with the capacity to power small electronic devices such as PDAs and cell phones. 

This experience made Mr. Apkarian an invaluable addition to the task force Rensselaer formed in 1979 to explore the development of a technology park. In the course of its deliberations, he suggested that Rensselaer test the waters with a technology-driven business incubator program on campus. It was a brilliant idea. The incubator was a swift and stunning success and quickly became the envy, and the model, of universities everywhere, focusing on its core mission of “giving life to new ideas.” 

The Rensselaer Technology Park soon followed, with Mr. Apkarian serving as a founding board member and indispensible “father of new enterprise.”  His generous support and encouragement for new ventures is legendary. Mr. Apkarian always found time to advise and mentor new companies, encouraging them to think outside the box. He was instrumental in the development of several local companies including MapInfo, now known as Pitney Bowes MapInfo Corporation, the region’s largest software developer, and Plug Power Inc., a fuel cell developer in Latham. 

Ever the entrepreneur, Mr. Apkarian also served as founder and chief engineer of TransTech Systems in Schenectady, developing practical high-tech equipment for the road construction industry. And ever the mentor, he was appointed in 2006 as Union College’s first entrepreneur-in-residence. 

Happily for us, Mr. Apkarian also found time for Rensselaer as well — serving as a member of the Friends of the Folsom Library and the Annual Fund Leadership Gifts Committee, and the School of Engineering Advisory Board. Faithful in supporting his alma mater, he was a member of the Amos Eaton Society of Patroons, and served as chairman at one point.

Those who saw him so often on the Rensselaer campus might well suspect he had taken up residence here. At Commencements and Reunions, Patroon dinners and Homecoming, presidential colloquies and hockey games — we have long been able to count on and enjoy Mr. Apkarian and his wife Betty’s gracious and enthusiastic participation. They are beloved members of the Rensselaer family. 

The magnitude of his impact extended beyond the Rensselaer campus and into the surrounding communities. Mr. Apkarian served as a trustee of Albany Medical College and Russell Sage College. He also served as a board member of the Center for Economic Growth, Proctor’s Theatre, Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and the Schenectady County Metroplex Authority. He was co-founder and director of the Capital Region Technology Development Council and served on the Business-Higher Education Roundtable, along with the Upstate New York/New England Regional Volunteer Network. 

Of special note, Mr. Apkarian was an avid golfer, playing up to four days a week. He served as past president of the American Seniors Golf Association and was a member of the Mohawk Golf Club Board of Governors. 

Forty years ago, Mr. Apkarian received the Albert Fox Demers Medal, the second highest award bestowed by the Rensselaer Alumni Association, established to recognize and stimulate interest in the welfare of the Institute by alumni or friends. 

In 2008, the Rensselaer Alumni Association bestowed its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, on Mr. Apkarian. The award recognizes distinguished service by alumni or friends of Rensselaer, to a profession, to the nation, or to humanity. In remarks shared with the audience, he spoke of a life full of “miracles,” beginning with the administrator at Rensselaer who saw potential in him and enabled him to enroll. In all the years since then, Mr. Apkarian continued to serve and shape the Rensselaer he held so dear. His work on behalf of his alma mater was tireless, his enthusiasm was ageless, and his wisdom was timeless.

As noted by the family, Mr. Apkarian was a “tremendous guiding light to so many.” He leaves behind an indelible mark that will be forever imprinted in the fabric of the university and the region’s new technology economy that is historic. He will be greatly missed by the Rensselaer community.

Contact: Jessica Otitigbe
Phone: (518) 276-6050
E-mail: otitij@rpi.edu