László Fülöp, born Fülöp László György Andor in 1934, was one of four children. He grew up in Tiszakécske, Máramarossziget, and Szentendre, Hungary. He survived WWII and the subsequent Soviet rule that made Hungary part of the Eastern Bloc. In the communist system, young men 18 and above were placed in forced-labor camps after high school. Under this system, László worked in the coal mines in Komló.

László was an active Freedom Fighter in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He escaped January 27, 1957 to Vienna, Austria where he began architectural studies. A year later, László moved to Minneapolis where he worked at an architectural firm and attended the University of Minnesota to obtain his architectural degree. He had three children with his first wife. Later, he met and married Ágnes Sylvester and they were married for 36 years. For nearly four decades he worked as an architect and planner, including as Director of Planning at the University of Wisconsin.

László was very active, along with Ágnes, in the Hungarian American community, especially the Minnesota Hungarians (Minnesotai Magyarok), including both serving as President. He was Vice President and both were longtime members of the Executive Committee and Board member of the Hungarian American Coalition, a former President of the Hungarian Community of Friends (Magyar Baráti Közösség), and a member of the American Hungarian Federation. Following his retirement he wrote four books, including a book of poetry and “From the Danube to the Mississippi” that described his years living as a Hungarian emigré in the U.S. “Stories from Máramarossziget – The Adventures of a Young Boy in Turbulent Times” tells poignant stories of László’s family’s life during and after WW II in Máramarossziget.  

László gave an interview about his life and family to Memory Project: Visual History Archive of Hungarian Emigration that can be viewed at https://memoryproject.online/laszlo-fulop/.

Coalition Co-founder Edith K. Lauer fondly remembers László:
“He was a true Hungarian patriot and a quintessential ’56-er. László often regaled us with wonderful stories laced with humor of his adventures in Hungary. He was a devoted Coalition Board member, who I had the pleasure of working with on several projects, including NATO Advocacy. He will be greatly missed and always remembered.”

László received many awards for his contributions. On September 29, 2008, he was awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary by Kinga Göncz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Ágnes Fülöp, and his two daughters Angela Farris, Zsuzsa Larson; five grandchildren: Brandon Woldsnes, Samuel Woldsnes, Ellen Larson, George Larson, Lauren Larson; a great-grandchild, Charlotte Woldsnes; and his niece Katica Deli. He was pre-deceased by his son, Paul George Fülöp.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, between 2-5 PM at Washburn-Mcreavy, Edina Chapel, 5000 W 50th Hwy 100, Edina, MN 55436.

The Hungarian American Coalition and our entire community mourns the loss of a devoted Hungarian patriot. May his legacy be an inspiration to all of us.