Washington, DC – Members of the Hungarian American Coalition (Coalition) were saddened to learn that Ifj. Frank Koszorús passed away on May 24, 2024, at his home in Great Falls, Virginia. He was 76 years old.

A founding member of the Coalition, Frank was a distinguished attorney and passionate advocate for U.S.-Hungarian relations and minority rights. Throughout his life, he was actively involved in organizations in the Hungarian American diaspora that promote Hungarian culture and history.
 
Frank was born in 1947 in Münsing, West Germany, to Gabriella and Ferenc Koszorús. He came from an old Reformed noble family, from Szilágysámson, Ököritó, and Mocsolya, who obtained their title in Transylvania after 1848. Among his paternal ancestors were county officials, lawyers, and military officers. His maternal grandfather was a sculptor, and his mother was a fine artist and teacher. This rich family heritage influenced Frank and led to his active involvement in the community.

Frank graduated from American University in 1966, studying history, international relations, and economics. He received his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law cum laude. In Chicago, he served as a judicial law clerk. Following the death of his father in 1974, Frank returned to Washington to practice litigation law as an Associate and then as Partner at various national and international law firms.
 
Soon after returning to Washington, Frank met and married Marianne von Rigler of Baltimore, Maryland. They created a loving family over 47 years of marriage, including three children.

Frank was active in the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) as well as the Hungarian American Coalition. As part of the Coalition’s work to support NATO enlargement, he testified before U.S. congressional committees on Hungary’s accession and minority rights. He briefed government officials on policy issues and submitted written statements to the Helsinki Commission hearings on minority rights in Eastern Europe and the state of democracy in Hungary.

Frank was also an active member of the Cardinal Mindszenty Society. He served as President of the American Hungarian Federation and was named its President Emeritus. He served as an Elder for the Hungarian Reformed Church of Washington, D.C., and was also co-president of the Washington Hungarian Club for many years.

Over the years, Frank received several awards, including The Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary in 2014. As a result of his decades-long involvement with the Washington-based International Human Rights Law Group on behalf of the Hungarian minority in Romania, he and his law firm received that organization’s pro bono Service Award. On the recommendation of the Bolyai Committee, the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania bestowed the Bathory Award upon Frank for his work on behalf of Hungarian-language higher education in Romania.

The Coalition and the entire Hungarian American community mourn the loss of a Hungarian patriot. Frank is survived by his wife Marianne, daughter Marianne, sons Ferenc and Gergely, and his two grandchildren, Jason Ferenc, aged seven, and Elise Gabriella, eight months.

For those who would like to honor Frank’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hungarian Reformed Church of Washington, D.C.: https://gofund.me/7331a3bd