Harold M. Koch (1932 – August 15, 1995) [1] was an American Roman Catholic priest from Chicago who defected to the Soviet Union in 1966. [2] His defection, which was included in a Soviet propaganda broadcast, [3] was in protest to the Vietnam war. [4] However he decided to return to the United States three months later saying he wanted to get married. [5] He did, to a Jeanette Neager. [6] While in the Soviet Union he was provided an apartment in Moscow. [7]
From 1958 to 1963 he served the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, leaving when pushed out because of psychiatric problems. [8]
Koch died on August 15, 1995, due to liver failure. [1]
References
- ^ a b "Harold M. Koch; Carpet Designer, 74 (Published 1995)". The New York Times. 1995-08-15. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- ^ "Ex-US-Priest Explains Defection on Russ TV". The Milwaukee Journal, 9/13/1966.
- ^ "Russian People Hear Former US. Priest". Playground Daily News, 9/14/1966.
- ^ "USSR: American Ex-Priest who has Sought Asylum in Soviet Union Says Move was Protest Against Vietnam War".
- ^ "Ex-U.S. Priest Ends Defection to Russia". Eugene Register-Guard, 12/19/1966.
- ^ "Former Priest Marries". Watertown Daily Times, 7/8/1967.
- ^ "Priest Defector Returning Home". Sarasota Journal, 12/19/1966.
- ^ "Defector Said Ex-Priest". St. Petersburg Times, 9/13/1966.