Teoman Önol RC ENG 59

Teoman Önol passed away leaving behind a legacy of professional accomplishment, community leadership and enduring devotion to family. Önol earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at RC. He worked both in Türkiye and abroad, building a respected career as a mechanical engineer during a period of rapid industrial and technological development.

In 1970, together with his wife Can Önol, a textile engineer, he founded TİM Mühendislik & Mümessillik Ltd. The company went on to represent internationally recognized suppliers in Türkiye and remains active today under the management of his daughter Mine and son-in-law Alp Fındıkoğlu. Önol maintained a strong commitment to civic and social life. He served as a president of the Istanbul Haliç Rotary Club and held leadership roles within Rotary’s Turkish district organization. He was also a longtime member of the council board of Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü. Remembered for his leadership, dedication, and generosity, Önol is survived by his wife Can, his children Mine and Mete Önol, their families, and five grandchildren. His life reflects a generation of Robert College graduates whose professional success was matched by lasting commitment to community and family

Tunç Pekcan RC ENG 59

H. Tunç Pekcan RC ENG 59 passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, at the age of 90. Tunç Pekcan earned his degree in Civil Engineering from Robert College in 1959 and later received a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. A dedicated engineer, he maintained a lifelong interest in architecture, construction, and the natural environment. Remembered by family and friends for his warmth, gentle sense of humor, and thoughtful character, Tunç was known for his kindness, integrity, and genuine interest in others. He approached life with care and quiet discipline, and his wisdom and sound judgment made him a trusted friend and advisor to many. A dedicated sportsman, he was selected to the Sportsmanship Brotherhood during his years at Robert College, recognizing both his athletic achievement and sportsmanship. Tennis remained a lifelong passion, and he continued playing well into his later years. He was also an enthusiastic follower of sports and a devoted supporter of Fenerbahçe. Beyond his professional and athletic pursuits, he found joy in Turkish poetry, Türk Sanat Musikisi, and the beauty of nature. Above all, he was devoted to his family.

His wife, Leyla Batu Pekcan ACG 61, and his son, Burak Pekcan RC 87, are fellow alumni. Tunç Pekcan will be remembered with affection by his family, friends, classmates, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ferhan Bozoğlu Suda ACG 60

Robert College community mourns the loss of our dear alumna Ferhan, who passed away on January 3. Fondly remembered for her gentle presence and her unmistakable expression—often accompanied by her playful rendering of “Çanakkale,” just as she would imitate certain teachers—Ferhan carried within her a quiet observer’s spirit. Behind her Michele Morgan–blue eyes was a keen sensitivity to the small, unexpected moments of everyday life, many of which she captured through her camera. These glimpses of shared experience often returned to us in moments of laughter, especially in the company of close friends and classmates.Belonging to a generation for whom school life extended well beyond competition or academic achievement, Ferhan and her classmates built something far more enduring: lifelong friendships. Today, as her peers reflect on lives spanning more than eight decades, it is these bonds that remain among their greatest accomplishments. Ferhan leaves behind her beloved daughter Zeynep and her son Hüseyin, as well as her extended family, including young Ada, whom she embraced with deep affection.

She will be remembered with warmth, gratitude, and a quiet smile by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Ali Yalman RA 63

Ali Yalman RA 63 passed away, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual curiosity, integrity, and lifelong dedication to education and public service.

Throughout his career, Yalman served as a Member of the Board of Tatko and as a Council Board Member to Galatasaray Sports Club. He was also the author of several books on mathematics and history, reflecting his passion for learning and his desire to inspire younger generations. A national bridge champion, he was admired for his analytical mind and strategic thinking. His enduring belief in the power of education led him to become one of the strongest supporters of the Village Schools Change Network (KODA), helping expand educational opportunities across Türkiye.

Yalman was deeply devoted to his family and is survived by his beloved wife, Grasia; his children, Alev, Rıfat, and Sibel; and his cherished grandchildren, Mila, Remi, and Gaia. He will be remembered with gratitude and admiration for a life defined by wisdom, generosity, and service.

Kemal Dülger RA 63

Kemal Dülger passed away unexpectedly May 31, 2025 and our hearts are truly broken. He was the quintessential Istanbul gentleman – deeply loved by his family and friends, a devoted animal lover, an avid sailor, musician, and passionate reader of sci-fi novels. As our family’s mechanic, handyman and engineer, he made us all appreciate just how wonderful it was to have someone who could fix almost anything. Kemal had a rare gift for facing whatever life placed before him with a smile, grace and gentleness. His kindness, humor, and steady presence will be deeply missed and never forgotten. May his memory be a blessing to all that knew and loved him.

Contributed by Feridun Taşman RC YÜK 64, Ayşe Dülger Taşman ACG 67

Henri Barki RA 68

Henri Barki RA 68, a distinguished alumnus of Robert Academy and an internationally respected scholar in the field of information systems, passed away in May 2026. After graduating from RA, Barki pursued higher education in Canada and went on to build an exceptional academic career at HEC Montréal. Joining the School’s Department of Information Technologies in 1989, he served as Director of Research from 1998 to 2001 and later held the Canada Research Chair in Information Technology Implementation and Management.

Widely recognized as a pioneer in information systems research, Barki made significant contributions to the study of technology implementation and management. His work was published in leading academic journals, and he played an influential role in shaping the field as a researcher, editor, and mentor. Henri Barki will be remembered as a dedicated scholar, respected educator, and generous mentor whose work left a lasting impact on his field and on generations of students and colleagues.

Erden Emanet RC 89

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Erden Emanet RC 89, who died on July 27, 2025. A beloved friend, classmate, and colleague, Erden will be remembered for his remarkable ability to bring light, laughter, and warmth into every room he entered. Born on February 6, 1970, Erden carried with him throughout his life a generosity of spirit that made people feel instantly at ease. He had an extraordinary gift for finding humor in even the smallest moments—an effortless wit that turned ordinary days into shared memories. Those who knew him often recall that spending just a few minutes with Erden meant leaving with a lighter heart and at least one unforgettable laugh. Beyond his sense of humor, Erden was known for the depth of his kindness. He valued connection, friendship, and sincerity above all else. His compassion extended widely—embracing family, friends, and anyone lucky enough to cross his path. He approached life not with perfectionism, but with presence, empathy, and joy. Erden’s absence leaves an immense void, yet his stories, laughter, and love remain with us. Each time we retell a joke he once made, remember a moment he brightened, or feel ourselves smiling at something he would have said, his spirit continues to be part of our lives.We are grateful for the light he shared so generously. Erden will be profoundly missed and forever cherished by all who knew him.

Adnan Ilık RC 97

With deep sadness, we remember our dear friend, a proud graduate of the Class of 1997, who spent his early years as a boarding student—years that shaped lifelong friendships and lasting memories. After graduating from Robert College, Adnan went on to study Computer Science and Engineering at MIT, later building an exceptional career at Microsoft, Google, and most recently Meta in Seattle. He was widely respected for his remarkable intellect and professional accomplishments, but more importantly for his generosity, honesty, resilience, and steady, reassuring presence in difficult moments; often reminding his colleagues, as one of them recalled, “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.”

He passed away in Redmond, Washington, USA, on April 27, 2026. To his friends, he will always remain the earnest and thoughtful companion we knew from his Robert College years and beyond. His spirit lives on in the lives he touched and the memories he leaves behind. He will be deeply missed.

Contributed by friends, graduates of RC 97

The Latest From Cevat Çapan RC 53 is a Rich Literary Miscellany

From theater to poetry, the book casts a wide net.

Cevat Çapan’s Öğrenme Uğraşı (The Pursuit of Learning, Yapı Kredi Yayınları) reflects his vast knowledge and eclectic interests, the collection brings together Çapan’s previously published essays, impromptu speeches put to paper, and prefaces to various books and anthologies. The subject matter is vibrant and wide-ranging, spanning from Homeros to novelist A.S.Byatt, from theater to cinema, and music to poetry.

During his years at RC and beyond, Çapan has surveyed both British/ American and Turkish literature over the ages, and his passion for poetry and his ever-deepening knowledge have consistently fueled his own poetry. Çapan has also meticulously translated the works of numerous foreign poets’ and introduced them to Turkish readers.

Çapan traces his interest in poetry to RC: “I was introduced to poems by William Wordsworth, Robert Browning, and Edgar Allan Poe at RC and, by graduation, was familiar with almost all the great poets of world literature.” Indeed, some of his earliest works were published in the school review İzlerimiz as well as prominent literary reviews like Varlık, and Yeditepe.”

Senem Akyollu Başyurt RC 88 Appointed CEO of Aydın Doğan Foundation

Her goal is to drive systemic change.

he Aydın Doğan Foundation invests in education, youth, gender equality, and social development to help build a more equitable society. As its newly appointed CEO, Senem Akyollu Başyurt RC 88 aims to strengthen this mission by positioning the Foundation as an ecosystem builder that brings together civil society, academia, business, and the public sector around shared solutions. For Başyurt, lasting impact requires moving beyond individual projects and pursuing systemic change through collaboration, patience, and evidence-based decision-making.

Over the course of her professional career, Başyurt became increasingly interested in applying her skills to social challenges. This led her to the NGO sector, where she found a meaningful intersection between strategy and purpose. “The best social impact work,” she says, “requires the discipline, strategic thinking, and accountability of the business world, combined with the mission-driven focus of civil society.”

For those interested in contributing to the social sector, Başyurt offers three pieces of advice: start before the perfect opportunity appears by volunteering, mentoring, or sharing professional expertise; approach communities with humility and curiosity, listening before proposing solutions; and commit for the long term, recognizing that meaningful social progress takes time.

As a boarding student, Başyurt experienced RC as a community that fostered independence, responsibility, empathy, and lifelong friendships. She sees a direct connection between those experiences and her later commitment to community-building and social impact.