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14 M PS E . O R G Chaloukian began his sound career at Ryder Sound Service in 1954, becoming an award-winning re- recording mixer and took over as owner of the facility in 1976. During his 60-year career in sound, Chaloukian and his staff at Ryder Sound won four national Emmys and two regional Emmys. During his time at Ryder, the company worked with documentary clients, including National Geographic; David Wolper Productions and Jacques Cousteau; and on such classic TV shows as Lassie, Death Valley Days, Sea Hunt, Maverick, Route 66 and Gunsmoke. Ryder Sound also handled recording, re-recording and mixing for iconic feature films, including Steve McQueen's Bullitt and releases from American International Pictures. Chaloukian personally oversaw sound design for The Graduate and with his staff of audio engineers created the sound design for Easy Rider. Ryder Sound also contributed to the post production sound for the classic American films The Godfather, Chinatown, Saturday Night Fever, Love Story and the first Star Trek movies, as well as work on Raiders of the Lost Ark, Tootsie and The Killing Fields. In 1986, Ryder Sound won the Emmy for Best Achievement in Sound for the TV movie Cross of Fire, and the Academy Award Best Achievement in Sound for Oliver Stone's film Platoon. Chaloukian served on the Motion Picture Academy Board in the 1970s and serving multiple terms on Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors, representing the Sound Peer Group. Chaloukian also served four years as Television Academy's President from 1989-93. Chaloukian is survived by daughter Kimme Chaloukian Black and son Dale Chaloukian and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. M PS E O B I TS "As a rookie in the sound biz in the late '70s, Leo was one of the first post sound business owners I met while mixing at Ryder Sound. He was always pleasant and treated me, a young aspiring sound assistant, with the same respect as he afforded the esteemed employees and clients who worked at his facility. Later in my career, I was fortunate to collaborate with him on the Motion Picture Academy's Sound Branch Executive Committee. Leo will be missed and I hope he rests easy." — S C OT T H EC K E R M P S E Emmy- and Oscar-winning Sound Designer Leo Chaloukian he Motion Picture Sound Editors would like to acknowledge the passing of Leo Chaloukian, multiple Emmy- and Oscar-winning sound designer, sound executive and former chair of the Television Academy who passed away on July 18. He was 97. T