Verhovayak Lapja, 1952 (35. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1952 / Verhovay Journal
f DR. DE CHOLNOKY May 2i, 1952________________________________Verhovay GraysCn Kirk, provost of Columbia University, receiving check from Tibor de Cholnoky, M. D. for the establishment of “Hungarian Research Funds”. Approximately four years ago Dr. Tibor de Cholnoky, an outstanding surgeon of Hungarian extraction, led a movement of the American Hungarian Federation to set up a Hungarian Department at Columbia University, New York to provide the means for a better understanding of Hungarian Culture, and to preserve it within the scope of American cultural life. Columbia University agTeed to establish such a department, expecting the cooperation of the Hungarian Americans in this country, (aiming at an endowment fund of $500,000. Dr. de Cholnoky has collected, preponderantly from his American friends, $17,000 to date, the groundwork of a Hungarian Research Fund which will in time make it possible for the university to set up a Hungarian Chair and eventually a Hungarian Institute. It is with rightful pride that we make these statements about Dr. de Cholnoky who is a long- standingmember of Branch 48, New York, und who recently purchased additional insurance from the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. His noble efforts in promoting Hungarian 5deals and culture leave us with a deep admiration for this fine and worthy Verhovay member. Dr. de Cholnoky was born in 1904 in Szatmárnémeti, Hungary. After he finished his high school education he entered the world-famous Sorbonne University in Paris, France and received his medical degree in 1926. Returning to Budapest, Hungary he enrolled at the Peter Pázmány University. There he was given another /medical degree in 1928.- Because of his special interest in surgery, he continued his surgical residency and in 1930 was awarded the degree of surgeon-specialist at the first surgical clinic of Professor Tibor Verebely, with whom he worked for years, after which he received a fellowship Co England and America. The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, New York was the home of Dr. de Cholnoky during his American postgraduate studies. He received his licenses to practice in the states of New York in 1933 and in Connecticut in 1940. He has experienced one after another well-deserved citations from his profession. The New York Academy of Medicine, the F.A.C.S., tdected him as its fellow, the American Board of Surgery certified him, and the Connecticut State Association of Tumor Clinics have highly regarded Dr. de Cholnoky’s membership iin these organizations. The high points in his medical career are many, a few of which are Snentioned here: The Third International Radiological and Electrotherapy Congress meeting in Paris honored Dr. de Cholnoky In 1931 by inviting him to lecture to the members of the Congress and assigned to him the task of preparing the nomenclature classifications of this specialty^ field. He served on the staff of the Lenox Hill Hospital, the Governor Hospital and. the New York State and Stuyvesant Square Hospital. His appointment in 1934 to the, position of associate attending surgeon to the staff of the New York Postgraduate Hospital and Medical School, Columbia University, later New York University. For sixteen 'years Dr. de Cholnoky has served in this capacity, gaining for himself /a wide reputation. As a general surgeon he has served the Doctor’s Hospital, University Hospital-Bellevue Medical Center, New York University, Greenwich Hospital, Connecticut. Dr. de Cholnoky’s experience goes beyond his actual practice as a surg-eon. He is also an outstanding writer, having written several books and numerous articles on surgery. He is (50 well-known and liked by his colleagues that he frequently lectures to various medical groups. He has lectured at the Atlantic City Cancer Cong-ress as well as other medical meetings in Baltimore, Boston, New York, Providence, Sain Francisco, Richmond and Washington. The noted physician’s name carries fame not only in America but in foreign lands also. In 1946, by invitation, he addressed the Surgeon’s Congress in Mexico City. In 1949 he ,achieved world-wide recognition when he was invited to the famous Curie Institute to lecture there on his experiences in surgery. In 1950 the. Paris University-sponsored Fifth International Cancer Congress listened to two lectures delivered by Dr. de Cholnoky, and saw films pertaining to his specialties of facial reconstruction and plastic surgery. Only last year the Pan Pacific Surgical; Congress, meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii featured Dr. de Cholnoky as one of their lecturers. The much honored surgeon was, also active on the New York State Cancer Committee. He is also a member of the executive cfommittee of the Connecticut State Association , and Tumor Clinic. To repeat, this prominent specialist’s interests are varied. It was a genuine tour of triumph ; for Dr. and Mrs. de Cholnoky when 'they made it possible for the University of Budapest Choir, under the direction of Victor Vaszi in 1937, to | tour thle United States. To this day lovers of fine music recall the ggand accomplishments of this splendid’ group of Hungarian singers. Another achievement in Dr. de Cholnoky’s busy career was the sponsorship of the Hungarian Reference/ Library and the select “Magyar Club” of New York. Dr. de Cholnoky is the only member of foreign extraction of the exclusive Writer’s and Poet’s Club of Greenwich, Connecticut, having been elected president of this elite group in 1950. Aside from his surgical and (literary pursuits, the ever active doctor finds time—somehow—to take (part in Hungarian American public life. He is vioe-president of the American Hungarian Federation and ft director of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., as well as president of the New York chapter, No. 22. Under his guidance this chapter has achieved the most fruitful results in providing relief aid for the unfortunate Hungarians. Many Americans of other nation(ality backgrounds long ago reached what the good doctor has been striving for in the interests of his people. Most nationalities already have established departments at universities such as that which Dr. de Cholnoky expects to accomplish. For us, however, it is better late than never, and with this thought spurring the determination of our fellow Verhovay member, he is sacrificing very (much of his valuable time and money [to assure the success of his goal. Our Board of Directors at its March, 1949 meeting regarded the great work of Dr. de Cholnoky so highly that a sum of one thousand dollars was voted to help further his 'magnanimous efforts. We respectfully request every branch and every member to follow the fine example set by the Association. Every donation, whether small or large, will accelerate the fund raising for the establishment of the Hungarian Department at Columbia University. Donations should be made payable to “Hungarian Research Fund,” care of Dr. Tibor de Cholnoky, 19 East 80th Street, New York 21, New York. Let us pay our respects to one of Verhovay’s most conspicuous members, Dr. Tibor de Cholnoky, by helping him raise the money needed to achieve the _goal. Send your contribution today! Send it NOW! Journal-----------------------------ZOLTÁN NEMETH Oldest Home Office Employee Dies Seventy-nine year old Zoltán Nemeth, who gave Verhovay many} years of loyal service and who was held in venerable esteem by his fellow workers at the Verhovay home office, died after an extended illness/ April 27, 1952. “Németh bácsi,” as he was addressed and referred to by the officers and the employees, observed his seventy-ninth birthday last month. The old gentleman, of distinguished appearance because of his full head of snowy hair, was a typical Magyar in features and in mannerisms. He was born April 2, 1873 in Olcsvaapáti, county of Szatmár, the son. of a school teacher. “Németh bácsi” came to this country' the very early párt of the cen- Itury and settled in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, the place he considered home /even though he spent the last twenty years of his life in Pittsburgh. He married soon after his arrivaL and lived with his wife until her death in 1941. Thereafter he lived /alone for a. few years until his stepson, Frank Fekete, came from, Phillipsburg to live with his lonely stepfather. Fekete remained until; the end. Verhovay became an important part of “Németh bácsi’s” life when he became a member back in 1909. In the years that followed he became conspicuously active in Verhovay affairs. As a delegate to the 1925 Verhovay convention he was elected as its recording- secretary. The same convention elected “Németh bácsi” member of the Auditing Committee, which post he held from 1926 to 1932. In 1932 he joined the home office staff in Pittsburgh and continued at his job until his last! illness. “Németh bácsi” loved his work at the home office. After each ■period of sickness—and he had many the last several years—he insisted on returning to his desk. Verhovay was home to him. “Németh bácsi” is survived by a sister, Gizella Nemeth, in Hajdúszoboszló, county of Hajdú, Hungary, find by his stepson, Frank Fekete. The veteran Verhovay worker was laid out at the George F. Smith funeral home, Pittsburgh, and from there taken to Phillipsburg, New Jersey', where burial took place May 1. National President Bencze, who was on business in New Jersey at the time of “Németh bácsi’s” death, prolonged his stay to attend the funeral of his old friend. The old timers of Verhovay are departing- fast. “Gone but not forgotten” is a familiar old epitaph. “Németh bácsi” is gone — but not forgotten. PAGE 5 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE VERHOVAY FRATERNAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION announce with profound sorrow the death of STEPHEN RABOCZ1 ACKNOWLEDGED MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION, ON APRIL 18, 1952. The Board of Directors, paying final tribute to the memory of our Acknowledged Fellow-Member, convey on, behalf of the membership of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.
