Öner Akgerman RA 61, TE was a valued member of the Robert College community and a dedicated supporter of the school over many years. He completed his middle school, high school, and college education at Robert College, graduating from the department of Business Administration and Economics in 1965. Throughout his professional life, he played an important role in the development of Türkiye’s industrial sector, holding senior leadership positions and contributing to a range of initiatives across industry and business.
He served on the RC Board of Trustees beginning in 1987 and became Trustee Emeritus in 2012. During his years of service, Mr. Akgerman remained closely connected to Robert College and offered thoughtful guidance and steadfast support to the school.
Mr. Akgerman’s ties with Robert College also extended through his family, particularly through his son Bülent Akgerman RC 88.
On behalf of his classmates, Aydın Bilgin RC 61 contributed the following tribute to a life well-lived.
“The passing of our beloved classmate for 73 years, Öner, has deeply shaken us all. Known for his gentlemanly demeanor, reliability, and constant support, both materially and spiritually, Öner left us due to an illness. To briefly summarize his life, after graduating from RC Faculty of Administrative Sciences in 1965, he began his career at Çimentaş in İzmir, taking on senior roles and leading the establishment of companies in ready-mixed concrete, cement, construction, insurance, and tourism. Later, together with his sons Bülent Akgerman RC 88 and Levent Akgerman, he founded the AKG Insulation Company, producing ready-mixed and aerated concrete, natural stone, as well as operating fish farms and the food sector. Öner served as a member of the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry Assembly, held the positions of Vice President and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Turkish Cement Manufacturers Association, and was involved in the management of the Çimentaş Education and Health Foundation. In addition to his industrial activities, he made significant contributions to education and served on the RC Board of Trustees for 25 years.
In the second year of middle school, when our literature teacher Ahmet Aksoy asked the class what “reliance on God” meant, Öner was the only one who knew the answer: “After doing everything you can, leaving the things you can’t do to God.” Years later, Öner, who always strived to do his best, became not only a prominent figure in Izmir’s industry but also a respected name in Turkey’s business world.
