1922 - 2012
A memorial service at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2013.
Private inurnment was held at Pioneer Cemetery.
Tamerlan Salaty, 90, peacefully passed away December 27, 2012, with family members present at his side.
Tamerlan, of Ossetian nationality, was born February 28, 1922, in Kardzhin, near Vladikavkas, Republic of North Ossetia, Russia. His parents were Zambolat and Madinat K. Salaty.
In 1942 Tamerlan became a partisan resistance fighter who was captured after the German invasion of the Soviet Union during WW II. He escaped from the Germans, was wounded in a bombing attack, and recaptured. He survived the war in captivity and ended up in a refugee camp in Ingolstadt, near Munich, Germany. There he learned a trade as an electrician.
Not wanting to return to Communist Russia, he became a displaced person. He eventually was sponsored by the World Church Organization and immigrated to America in 1949. He worked for the California citrus growers, picking oranges, for the first 6 months in his new country. Later, he moved to New York, attended Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute for an Electrical Engineering degree. Having one year left for his EE degree, he had to quit school for economic reasons. He was hired as an engineering aide for the Sperry Gyroscope Company where he worked on the B-58 bomber program. After three years he left the company and moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he finished his EE degree in 1963. While finishing his degree, he was offered a part-time position teaching a Russian language course and thus began his career at KU in the Slavic Languages and Literature department. He received his Master's degree in Slavic Languages and Literature in 1968, and taught courses in Russian grammar and composition and translation. Tamerlan retired in 1992.
He was fluent in four languages and was a member of the Kansas Foreign Language Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic
Studies, the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages and the American Association of University Professors. In addition to teaching at KU, he taught summers at Cornell University, University of Colorado, Indiana University, and Middlebury College in Vermont.
Tamerlan was an avid tennis player and enjoyed swimming almost everyday. He was a devoted husband and father, and would have been a most caring and fun grandfather if his failing health had not prevented him. He was passionate about helping people, especially new immigrants. He was a very dedicated teacher. He was well-known among his students for his anecdotes and sense of humor. One student wrote, "He has a wonderful way of presenting things and making grammar clear. He only gets impatient when he sees you're not working up to your potential. "
His survivors include his wife of 47 years, Caroline, two daughters, Madina, and husband, Zunu, of Lawrence, and Tamara, and her husband, Ben, and two granddaughters, Wrenn, and Maren, of Manhattan, Kansas. Also a cousin, Sergei Ardasenov and his wife, Zalina, and their son, Tamerlan, of Shawnee, Kansas, and a brother-in-law, David Logan, his wife Cathy, and nephew, Tim, of San Antonio, Texas.
His family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at Brandon Woods and Grace Hospice for their care and compassion.
A memorial service at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2013.
Private inurnment was held at Pioneer Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the University of Kansas Endowment Association in care Warren-McElwain mortuary.
Guestbook Entries
Date: Apr 26, 2013
Name: Irina Corten
Entry: I met Tamerlan in 1974 when I came to teach for one year in the Slavic department at the U of K. After all these years, I still remember him very fondly. He was a kindly, warm-hearted man. He helped me settle in my new apartment, took me grocery shopping and drove me around town for nearly a month until I got my own car. And he was my most pleasant colleague at work--always cheerful and with a joke or interesting story to tell. I did not have a chance to get to know his family, but I know that he was very devoted to them; showed me their photos; and spoke about them often. My sympathy and very best wishes to his wife and daughters.
Date: Apr 19, 2013
Name: Jonelle Birney Sullivan
Entry: I am so sorry for your loss. Ta,Eelam was my Russian language teacher from 1976-1980. I remember going to your home when the girls were small and I saw Tamerlan in Washington DC in the early '80's. He was a fine man and great teacher. My thugs are with you?
Date: Apr 14, 2013
Name: Dave McClave
Entry: Caroline, Madina, and Tamara,
The entire Salaty family welcomed us from Back East in 1971. The teacher I am today and the knowledge of Russian I use today comes from Tamerlan's magical influence. I cherish as well all those sets we played on the U's courts not far from our cottage on Maine Avenue. I'm confident he is regaling the angels with his stories and baffling the saints with his trick shots. God bless my old friend and you all.
Date: Feb 2, 2013
Name: Reuel Hanks
Entry: Tamerlan was my first teacher of Russian in the fall of 1984. I still recall vividly many events from that class, and how funny, devoted and interesting he was. And I still have many of the handouts and materials he used. He lead an heroic life, and there are literally thousands of lives he shaped and influenced. May God bring peace to those he loved, and those who loved him.
Date: Feb 1, 2013
Name: Jacob Kipp
Entry: I met Tamerlan through my wife, Masha, when she was a graduate student at KU. Tamerlan was a fine teacher, a kind man, and a good friend. He will be remebered fondly by his amny students.
Date: Jan 28, 2013
Name: Paul Budilo
Entry: My dad and Tamerlan came to American together, worked in the citrus groves that were mentioned above, and for over 60 years were close friends and surrogate brothers as each lost many family members during the atrocities of the Soviet Union and WWII. I was always amazed of how living through this horrible period in human history and after witnessing so much cruelty during the war, both Tamerlan and my dad continued to be such loving, sympathetic and kind hearted people. I recall fondly of how Tamerlan would always take a group of his students from KU on a trip to see America and how he would come calling - with his group in tow - to visit us in California. He provided his students with the experience of seeing the country, and us the joy of being able to host them for a few days. Tamerlan truly touched the hearts of so many, not only throughout the KU and Lawrence community, but well beyond those borders. He was humble and very strong, traits that so few today posses. When I was going to school at Cal State University, Fullerton taking Russian Studies, to my utter surprise my Russian professor - from 1,500 miles away in California - also knew Tamerlan and shared many stories of admiration and respect that she had for him.
Tamerlan may have passed away, but he is not forgotten as the good that he shared and the teaching he taught to others, will be passed down to others.
My family, provides its condolences to Caroline, Madina, Tamara and to their respective families with the passing of such a truly kind person.
Date: Jan 13, 2013
Name: Leo Yurovsky
Entry: When I was a new emigrant from Russia and a new student at KU in the early 1980s, I am grateful to Tamerlan for helping me adjust to Lawrence and to student life. He was the pillar of the community of Russian speakers and students of Russian alike, loved by all. He has had the most remarkable life, and I feel enriched for having him as my friend. My deepest condolences to Caroline, Madina, Tamara, and the rest of the family.
Date: Jan 5, 2013
Name: Anna McCoy
Entry: I am Madina's friend and co-teacher at our preschool. I loved reading this and learning about his interesting life. Caroline, I met you at your garage sale. I am sorry for your loss and wish you well.
Date: Dec 31, 2012
Name: Amy Singer
Entry: I will always remember & cherish the wonderful times spent with you and your family and Tamerlan. I am thinking about you and sorry to hear of his passing.
Date: Dec 31, 2012
Name: George S. Jerkovich, MD
Entry: I will always remember Tamerlan fondly as a dear friend of the family. He and my parents were especially close. The first time I beat him at chess as a teenager was a memorable day. The Jerkovich family extends our sympathy at your loss.
Date: Dec 30, 2012
Name: Kathy Mallonee
Entry: Caroline, I am Kathy Mina's daughter. We ate lunch together a couple times at Brandon Woods.
My mom also passed, on Christmas Eve. I enjoyed visiting with you and Tam and I am sorry for your loss. You have a lot of amazing memories to hold on to until you meet again. God's blessings and comfort be with you and your family. Kathy
Date: Dec 30, 2012
Name: Jeanne Ellermeier
Entry: Dear Caroline and family:
For so many years we have been neighbors-all working, and not much time to socialize. But we've been friends that long time, and I want you all to know how much I enjoyed every encounter with Tamerlan as well as the family. I'll be here for you and with you,still. You're in my heart and thoughts these days.
Jeanne
Date: Dec 30, 2012
Name: Bill and Shirley Andrews
Entry: I think of Tamerlan so many times and in so many ways. His ardent conversations after grad classes, his sense of humor, his unfailing generosity to those for whom English was a second language. I remember that he went to doctor's appointments and assisted in so many ways -- bread delivered . . . or so many things. I remember too how endearing your example of marriage is to the rest of us. I remember that everyone was welcome, and as his memory declined that he would invite people he didn't know into the house -- just because he didn't recall them, doesn't mean they weren't welcome. Surrounding you with the gentleness and good will that permiated who he was and who you are.
Date: Dec 29, 2012
Name: Rob Zinn
Entry: Dear Salaty's, please accept my deepest condolences. Tam's was a life well lived and I will always have fond memories of his gentle nature and kind words. He taught me how to play chess, and for that I will always be grateful. Learning about his life prior to coming to the states was so interesting and impressive. May he rest in peace.
Date: Dec 29, 2012
Name: Lauri Zinn O'Connor
Entry: Mrs.Salaty, Madina and Tamara, I am sorry to hear of your loss. My memories are of a quiet, kind man who I knew only as a child. I remeber doing a school project he assisted me with that involved transalting some English to Russian. What an amazing life. With sympathy, wishing you peace and comfort in your memories.
Date: Dec 29, 2012
Name: Joe and Linda Gudenkauf
Entry: We are so sad to hear of your loss. We are thinking of you all and how much you all touched our lives. Our prayers are with you all.
Sincerely
Joe and Linda Gudenkauf
Date: Dec 28, 2012
Name: Alex and Tatiana Plotnikov
Entry: We are sorry to hear that such a wonderful life was ended. Tamerlan was very helpful to us and to other new immigrants. He was like a father to us.
Date: Dec 28, 2012
Name: Judy Hathaway
Entry: Caroline, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your husband's lifetime of challenges and accomplishments is quite interesting and impressive. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll miss seeing you at BW.
Date: Dec 28, 2012
Name: Mischa Buchholz
Entry: So sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember your dad very fondly. What an amazing life!
Date: Dec 28, 2012
Name: Sheryl Henry
Entry: Caroline and girls and family,
I was sorry to read about Tamerlan in today's paper. I know he was a wonderful husband and father and you will miss him so much. He left a legacy of never giving up and caring for others. I am sorry for your loss and for his long struggle these past few years. We are thinking of you with love
Date: Dec 28, 2012
Name: Nick Woods
Entry: Caroline and family, we grieve with you. We are thankful for the wonderful life you had together.
His sheer courage and integrity as a freedom fighter, got him through the awful years of WWII
and Camps. Thank you for sharing some of his incredible life in this obituary. Your friends, Nick & Elizabeth Woods
Date: Dec 28, 2012
Name: Zac, Amber & kids
Entry: Caroline, Madina & Tamara, we are thinking of you & your families. Your love and respect for Tamerlan is always obvious. I feel like I've had a good sense of who he was through your stories, but this summary of his life was really amazing. Hank & Will share his birthday.
Date: Dec 28, 2012
Name: Amy Conway
Entry: Tamara and family,
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I will always remember the stories told of your father when we were working at Varsity. They would fasinate me as I am sure they did everyone else. Take comfort in those memories.
Date: Dec 27, 2012
Name: Kate and Rob Voelker
Entry: So sorry for your loss. I loved reading about your Dad, what a fascinating man!
