Personal Statement by the Ambassador of Hungary on the Passing of Ambassador Philip Kaiser

I am deeply saddened by the passing of a friend and an outstanding diplomat, Ambassador Philip Kaiser. On behalf of my wife Náda, the entire staff of the Embassy of Hungary, and myself, I offer my deep condolences to his family. I am proud to say he was my friend and he honored us with his presence on many occasions. He was a man of solid character, enormous knowledge, and personal warmth. Just recently we sat together at a concert given by our common friend András Schiff. He knew everything about music.

A few years ago Philip invited me to lunch at the Cosmos Club. He just wanted to tell me a single thought. He told me that in the long and successful life he had, with Hannah and the three boys, in diplomacy, he had only one regret. He had always thought that ideology was more important than friendship. Philip went on to say: and I was wrong. Friendship is more important. A great lesson for all of us!

I cherished the time we spent together in his home, next to the photo with him and President Kennedy walking off a helicopter. He always gave me good advice. He knew what was going on in Hungary and was concerned for our success. In 2002 as a freshly appointed ambassador to the United States, one of my first acts was to hand over the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit to Ambassador Philip Kaiser, as a sign of gratitude of Hungarians. 

Ambassador Kaiser    maintained his strong ties to Hungary. His attachment to our country , and  our  respect for him, date back to the late 1970s when  he  was Ambassador to Hungary under President Jimmy Carter. He was instrumental in the return of the Crown of St. Stephen to Hungary from the United States in 1978. This was an important act of the American people to the Hungarian people, which we will remember forever.  

My wife Náda and I will miss him.

András Simonyi

Ambassador of Hungary to the U.S.