Croatia - USADarko
Žubrinić, 2013
![]() Ivan Mestrovic's St. Jerome in front of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, Washington DC, USA A gift from Croatian Fraciscan Glagolitic Tertiaries in the USA ![]() One of Ivan Meštrović's Chicago Indians, carved in Croatia's capital Zagreb; source Flickr DISTINGUISHED CROATIANS IN THE USA The greatest twenty: Nikola Tesla, the father of electric power industry, born and educated in Croatia Anthony F. Lucas (Antun Lučić), the father of petroleum industry Mario Puratić, the father of the fishing industry, inventor of the Puretic Power Block William Feller, distinguished Croatian-American mathematician (Princeton University), National Medal of Science Erazmo Tićac (Ben Tichaz), planner of the Savannah nuclear ship George Mikan, gentle giant, a founder of NBA Peter Tomich, recipient of the United States military's highest award, the Medal of Honor (part 1) Jacob Jake Matijevic, father of the Curiosity rover on Mars Anthony Maglica, Mag-Lite flashlite producer Ivan Meštrović, distinguished Croatian sculptor, author of 'Chicago Indians' Mia Slavenska, distinguished Croatian ballerina Bill Bellichick, the best American football coach ever David Diehl, American football player Roger Maris, baseball player David Byler, eighth generation Croatian in the USA Zinka Kunc Milanov, famous opera singer, Metropolitan Opera Mike Grgich, the king of Zinfandel wines Paul L. Modrich, Duke University, 2015 Nobel Prize for Chemistry Dražen Petrović, Croatian basketball player, NBA player Maxo Vanka, distinguished Croatian painter
ALPHABETIC ORDER Nenad Bach, pop and rock musician, humanitarian activist Zlatko Baloković, distinguished Croatian violinist Jack Baric, Searching for a Storm Mark Begich, US Senator, Alaska Nick Begich, independent researcher in the sciences and politics Mladen Bestvina, distinguished Croatian mathematician Michael Bilandic, Mayor of Chicago 1977-1979 Phil Boskovich, The King of Onions Brenda Brkušić, award winning filmmaker, producer, and excellent Croatian cook Paul Bucha, recipient of the Medal of Honor has Croatian roots Tony Butala, the founder and lead singer of THE LETTERMEN trio Suncica Canic, professor of Mathematics Krešimir Ćosić, Croatian basketball player and diplomat Ashley Colburn, Wow Croatia Helen Crlenkovic, springboard diver Louis Cukela, recipient of the Navy and Army Medals of Honor for extraordinary heroism in France 1918 Blase J. Cupich, Chicago Archbishop Ante Čuvalo, historian, father of Mime Cuvalo Mime Cuvalo, web developer, proponent of open web standards, and benefactor Jaksa Cvitanic, a leading expert in mathematical finance Milislav Demerec, distinguished Croatian genetician Nicholas Doddazio, reinventing Croatian necktie John Dominis-Gospodnetich, prince of Hawaii Asaf Durakovic, nuclear scientist and radiobiologist Adam S. Eterovich, researcher of the history of American Croatians Gary Gabelich, world record speed by rocket-powered Blue Flame Tomislav Gabric, distinguished Croatian architect Daniel Gajski, a hero of computer science Vinko Gecan, Croatian hero in the USA Silvija Gradečak, Associate Professor in materials science and engineering, MIT Anthony Grbic, expert in metamaterials Jerry Grcevich, Croatian tamburitza virtuoso Emil Grgin (or Emil Gergin), Croatian physicist Marijana Grišnik (b. Pintar), Croatian painter, Strawberry Hill, Kansas City Branko Grünbaum, distinugished professor of Mathematics Hedvig Hricak, distinguished Croatian expert in radiology and tumor diagnosis Zeljko Ivezic, distinguished Croatian astronomer Jere Jareb, historian Mario Jurić, distinguished Croatian astrophysicist & the leader of the Data Management team for LSST Marina Jurica, singing meteorologist and lead commentator for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Nikola Knez, filmmaker, creator of iFilms LLC Daniel Kolak, distinguished philosopher Vlado Kolitsch, Croatian violinist, inventor of the Kolitsch shoulderset Martin Davorin Krmpotić, Croatian missionary in the USA Kresimir Krnjevic, distinguished Croatian neuroscientist celebrates 90 years in 2017 John E. Kozar, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association John Kraljic, officer of the Croatian Academy of America fra Ljubo Krasić, director of Croatian Ethnic Institute in Chicago Brian Krzanich, Brian Krzanich Intel CEO leads an organization of more than 100,000 employees Dennis Kucinich, member of the US House of Representatives Pavao Kufrin (Kelečić), Croatian sculptor in Chicago Jefrey Kuhner, The Washington Times Toni Kukoč, Croatian basketball player, NBA player Andrea Kulier, young expert in cosmology Božidar Kunc, distinguished Croatian pianist and composer Ivana Kunc, soprano opera singer Josip Kundek, Croatian benfactor and missionary in the USA Tomislav Kuzmanovic, lawyer, recipient of the Vinodol Code Award Branimir Kvartuc, photographer and philantropist Branko Leskovar, distinguished expert in Electrical Engineering Ilija Letica, director of the LETICA corporation Radoslav Lorković, Croatian pop musician in the USA Bernard Luketich, president of Croatian Fraternal Union, USA Joe Magarac, legendary Croatian steel worker in the USA John Malkovich, distinguished actor, with Croatian grandparents Josip Marcan, formost expert on tigers Josip Marohnić, writer and publisher in the USA Egon Matijević, distinguished Croatian scientist, expert in the field of Chemistry Miljenko Matijević, rock singer C. Michael McAdams, historian Zvonimir Mihanović, Croatian painter Kreso Mikulic, Croatian engineer and winemaker Joe Mikulec, Croatian globetrotter Marija Miletic Dail, and her animation cottage Eduard Miloslavic, distinguished professor of pathology Ivan Mirkovic, professor of Mathematics Karlo Mirth, publicist Luka Misetic, lawyer, recipient of the Vinodol Code Award Vladimir Novak, Croatian photographer Michael J. Novosel, recipient of the Medal of Honor Steve Novosel, Croatian-American jazz bassist and educator Zoran Orlic, rock photographer Michael Palaich, distinguished humanist Elizabeth Peratrovich, a native woman in Alaska and civil rights pioneer bearing Croatian second name Rudy Perpich, governer of Minnesota (three terms) Dražen Prelec, professor at MIT, on of the leading experts for Neuroeconomics Nikola Primorac, Croatian captain of City of Ragusa craft sailing from Liverpool to New York and back in 1870 (also here) George Jure Prpić, historian (and here) Hrabri Rajic, Intel, founder and former co-chair of Distributed Resource Management Application API (DRMAA), maintainer of Modro jezero web site (Blue Lake, near Imotski, Croatia) Pasko Rakic, outstanding neurobiologist Milan Randić, one of the leading experts in mathematical chemistry Dina Rizvić, young Croatian singer, composer, pianist and guitarist Joseph Thomas Rukavina, humanitarian activist Nick Saban, American college football coach Tefko Saračević, distinguished international expert in Information Sciences, Professor at Rutgers University Darko Sertić, founder and director of Applied Ceramics George M. Skurla, led the team of 1600 scientists and engineers that built the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing module Marin Soljačić, distinguished Croatian physicist, MIT Davor Solter, among the first scientists to postulate genomic imprinting Ekrem Eck Spahic, defender of the homeland and philatelist James Spudich, distinguished biochemist Mike Stepovich, governer of Alaska (also here) Vjekoslav Šutej, director of the Houston Opera Orchestra 1992-1997 Henry Suzzallo, president of the University of Washington Tajči, Tatjana Cameron (born Matejaš), Croatian pop singer in the USA Rudy Tomjanovich, basketball player and Hall of Fame coach, double NBA champion Joseph Turkalj, distinguished Croatian sculptor Ana Vidović, distinguished Croatian guitarist Goran Visnjic, distinguished Croatian-American actor Mladen Vranić, a legend of diabetes research Davor Vrankić, Croatian painter Milojko Mike Vucelic, former Apollo System Manager for NASA/Rockwell, recipient of Presidential Award for Freedom, studied Mechanica Engineering at the Univeristy of Zagreb Mladen Wickerhauser, Croatian mathematician Don Wolf, professional photographer Fritzie Zivic, professional boxer, welterweight champion of the world Classified: INDUSTRY AND BUSSINESS Nikola Tesla,
the father of electric power
industry, born and
educated in Croatia
Anthony F. Lucas (Antun Lučić), the father of petroleum industry Mario Puratić, the father of the fishing industry, inventor of the Puretic Power Block Erazmo Tićac (Ben Tichaz), planner of the Savannah nuclear ship Ilija Letica, director of the LETICA corporation Anthony Maglica, Mag-Lite flashlite producer Tomislav Gabric, distinguished Croatian architect Darko Gojanović, Silicon Valley, Sun Microsystems, Compaq, Intel Brian Krzanich, Brian Krzanich Intel CEO leads an organization of more than 100,000 employees Frank Puskaric and his five sons: Cravat Coal Company (in Cadiz, Ohio), founded in 1950 Kreso Mikulic, Croatian engineer and winemaker Darko Sertić, founder and director of Applied Ceramics Hrabri Rajic, Intel, founder and former co-chair of Distributed Resource Management Application API (DRMAA), maintainer of Modro jezero web site (Blue Lake, near Imotski, Croatia) Ivan Hrvoić (Canada) - magnetometers Steve Bubalo Construction co., California (Ljubuški) Vincent Thomas Bridge (Vinko Tomašević, his parents are from Bobovišće on the island of Brač), Los Angeles, video Joseph M. Martinac (Sumartin on the island of Brač), J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, founded in 1924 John Klaric Contracting Company, Drago Cvitanovich, Drago's Restaurant in New Orleans Joso Špralja, Joso's Croatian Seafood Restaurant in Toronto Adriatica Croatian Village in Mckinney, Texas USA, founded by Jeffory D. Blackard Robert Herjavec Croatian-born Canadian entrepreneur, businessman and TV star Robert Benmosche 1944-2015 CEO of AIG found paradise in Croatia SCIENCE Ferdinand Konšćak, Croatian missionary
Henry Suzzallo, president of the University of Washington William Feller, distinguished Croatian-American mathematician (Princeton University), National Medal of Science Egon Matijević, distinguished Croatian scientist, expert in the field of Chemistry Branko Grünbaum, distinugished professor of Mathematics Branko Souček, microprocessors, microcomputers Daniel Gajski, a hero of computer science Dalibor Vrsalović, computer technology, Intel Mladen Vranić, a legend of diabetes research Silvija Gradečak, Associate Professor in materials science and engineering, MIT Anthony Grbic, expert in metamaterials Paul L. Modrich, Duke University, 2015 Nobel Prize for Chemistry Mladen Vranić, Canada Ante Padjen, Canada Gabrijel Gasic Livanic, specialist for cancer and leukemia Marin Soljačić, distinguished Croatian physicist, MIT George M. Skurla, led the team of 1600 scientists and engineers that built the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing module (NASA) Milojko Mike Vucelic, former Apollo System Manager for NASA/Rockwell, recipient of Presidential Award for Freedom, studied Mechanica Engineering at the Univeristy of Zagreb Mladen Wickerhauser, Croatian mathematician Jacob Jake Matijevic, father of the Curiosity rover on Mars (NASA) Eduard Prugovecki (Canada - Toronto) Milan Randić, one of the leading experts in mathematical chemistry Zvonko Vranešić, Canada Emil Grgin (or Emil Gergin), Croatian physicist Zvonimir Janko, mathematician Ante Čuvalo, historian, father of Mime Cuvalo Milislav Demerec, distinguished Croatian genetician Franjo Hanaman, žarulja s volframovom niti za General Electric Pasko Rakic, outstanding neurobiologist Milan Randić, one of the leading experts in mathematical chemistry George Jure Prpić, historian (and here) Asaf Durakovic, nuclear scientist and radiobiologist Branko Leskovar, distinguished expert in Electrical Engineering Eduard Miloslavic, distinguished professor of pathology James Spudich, distinguished biochemist Dominik Mandić, historian Jere Jareb, historian Marina Jurica, singing meteorologist and lead commentator for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Tefko Saračević, distinguished international expert in Information Sciences, Professor at Rutgers University Davor Solter, among the first scientists to postulate genomic imprinting Ivan Mirkovic, professor of Mathematics Josip Marcan, formost expert on tigers Tomislav Uzelac, Winamp Dražen Prelec, professor at MIT, on of the leading experts for Neuroeconomics Jaksa Cvitanic, a leading expert in mathematical finance Mladen Bestvina, distinguished Croatian mathematician Daniel Kolak, distinguished philosopher Hedvig Hricak, distinguished Croatian expert in radiology and tumor diagnosis Igor Štagljar, Canada, molecular biologist Nelly Auersperg, Canada, biomedical scientist Krešimir Krnjević, Canda, neuroscientist Zeljko Ivezic, distinguished Croatian astronomer Suncica Canic, professor of Mathematics Mario Jurić, astrophysicist Andrea Kulier, young expert in cosmology Esther Gitman's interview 2016 about Archbishop Alojzije Stepinac and his role in saving the Jews in Croatia AGRICULTURE Mike Grgich,
the king of Zinfandel wines
Phil Boskovich, King of Onions, descendant of Croatian immigrants, dies in 2013 at the age of 97 MISSIONARIES, PRIESTS AND ARCHBISHOPS Ferdinand Konšćak, Croatian missionary
Martin Davorin Krmpotić, Croatian missionary in the USA John E. Kozar, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association Josip (Joseph) Kundek, Croatian benfactor and missionary in the USA fra Ilija Živković David Byler, eighth generation Croatian in the USA Blase J. Cupich, cardinal, Chicago Archbishop fra Ljubo Krasić, director of Croatian Ethnic Institute in Chicago Dragutin Jesih (1895-1944), Righteous among the nations, Croatian martyr NATIONAL HEROES Vinko Gecan, Croatian hero in the USA
Louis Cukela, recipient of the Navy and Army Medals of Honor for extraordinary heroism in France 1918 Peter Tomich, recipient of the United States military's highest award, the Medal of Honor (part 1) Michael J. Novosel, recipient of the Medal of Honor John Tominac, recipient of the Medal of Honor Paul Bucha, recipient of the Medal of Honor MAYORS, GOVERNERS, CONGRESSMEN John Dominis-Gospodnetich, prince of Hawaii
Mike Stepovich, governer of Alaska (also here) Michael Bilandic, Mayor of Chicago 1977-1979 Fiorello LaGuardia, mayor of New York, fluent in Croatian Nick Begich, US Senator, Alaska Mark Begich, US Senator, Alaska Rudy Perpich, governer of Minnesota (three terms) Dennis Kucinich, member of the US House of Representatives ARTS Ivan
Benković, Croatian painter, portrayed Nikola Tersla in 1913
Ivan Meštrović, distinguished Croatian sculptoror, author of 'Chicago Indians' Joseph Turkalj, distinguished Croatian sculptor Maxo Vanka, distinguished Croatian painter Antun Augustinčić, author of Horsewoman (Monument of Peace, UN) Kristian Krekovic (exhibited in the USA in 1950s) Pavao Kufrin (Kelečić), Croatian sculptor in Chicago Vladimir Novak, Croatian photographer Don Wolf, professional photographer Anton Cetin (Canada), Croatian painter Zoran Orlic, rock photographer Branimir Kvartuc, photographer and philantropist Marija Miletic Dail, and her animation cottage Zvonimir Mihanović, Croatian painter Marijana Grišnik (b. Pintar), Croatian painter, Strawberry Hill, Kansas City Davor Vrankić, Croatian painter Nicholas Doddazio, reinventing Croatian necktie MUSIC Ilma Murska,
Croatian soprano
Josip Kašman, opera singer Milka Ternina, Croatian opera singer Zlatko Baloković, distinguished Croatian violinist Zinka Kunc Milanov, famous opera singer, Metropolitan Opera Božidar Kunc, distinguished Croatian pianist and composer Ivana Kunc, soprano opera singer Vlado Kolitsch, Croatian violinist, inventor of the Kolitsch shoulderset Guy Mitchell (Albert George Cernik), pop singer and actor Tony Butala, the founder and lead singer of THE LETTERMEN trio Vjekoslav Šutej, director of the Houston Opera Orchestra 1992-1997 Radoslav Lorković, Croatian pop musician in the USA Nenad Bach, pop and rock musician, humanitarian activist Jerry Grcevich, Croatian tamburitza virtuoso Miljenko Matijević, rock singer Tajči, Tatjana Cameron (born Matejaš), Croatian pop singer in the USA Ana Vidović, distinguished Croatian guitarist 2CELLOS, numerous appearances in the USA FILM AND BALLET Mia
Slavenska,
distinguished Croatian ballerina
Joe Marsh (Josip Marušić), MR CLEAN John Malkovich, distinguished actor, with Croatian grandparents Brenda Brkušić, award winning filmmaker, producer, and excellent Croatian cook Goran Visnjic, distinguished Croatian-American actor Ashley Colburn, Wow Croatia Nikola Knez, filmmaker, creator of iFilms LLC SPORTS Joe Mikulec,
Croatian globetrotter
George Mikan, gentle giant, a founder of NBA Gary Gabelich, world record speed by rocket-powered Blue Flame Roger Maris, baseball player Jimmy Lyggett, American boxer in Zagreb Fritzie Zivic, professional boxer, welterweight champion of the world (+ encounters with Nikola Tesla) Helen Crlenkovic, springboard diver Marin Pleština, wrestler Krešimir Ćosić, Croatian basketball player and diplomat Dražen Petrović, Croatian basketball player, NBA player Toni Kukoč, Croatian basketball player, NBA player Rudy Tomjanovich, basketball player and Hall of Fame coach, double NBA champion Nick Saban, American college football coach Stipe Miocic, MMF boxer Val and Sandra Bezic - skating pair (Canada) Bill Bellichick, the best American football coach ever - NFL (National Football League) David Diehl, American football player Mirko Novosel, trainer, inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in the USA Nikola Primorac, Croatian captain of City of Ragusa craft sailing from Liverpool to New York and back in 1870 (also here) Croatian soccer international matches in 1940 with Switzerland and in 1990 with the USA CROATIAN MARINERS Croatian Mariners in the
New World
First Croatians in the Americas Titanic shipwreck and its Croatian saviors Nikola Primorac, Croatian captain of City of Ragusa craft sailing from Liverpool to New York and back in 1870 (also here) LEGENDS ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTES CFU (Croatian
Fraternal Union) - HBZ (Hrvatska bratska zajednica)
Bernard Luketich, president of Croatian Fraternal Union, USA Croatian Ethnic Insitutute, Chicago - fra Ljubo Krasić NFCA - National Federation of Croatian Americans Croatian Woman, www.croatianwoman.org Matica iseljenika (Croatian Heritage Foundation, Zagreb) John Kraljic, officer of the Croatian Academy of America (CAA) ZIRAL (publishing house, Zajednica izdanja "Ranjeni Labud"), Chicago - Zurich - Rome Sacred Heart Croatian Parish - Chicago Croatian Franciscans in USA and Canada Croatian parishes in USA and Canada Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce JOURNALS Zajedničar
Gaudeamus, AMCA Toronto Journal of Croatian Studies, New York The Croatian Academy of America Issued New Volume of the Journal of Croatian Studies Matica, Matica iseljenika, Zagreb WRITERS AND PUBLICISTS Joseph
G. Hitrec (India, USA), author of Son
of the Moon
Josip Marohnić, writer and publisher in the USA Louis Adamic, Slovenian writer, often wrote about Croatians in America Anton Bonifačić, writer Vladimir Goss, publicist Karlo Mirth, publicist Antun Nizeteo, writer Zora Marov, island of Vis, USA Melkior Mašina, writer Hrvoslav Ban, writer Mladen Kabalin, writer Ante Kadić, writer Dionizije Lasić, writer Vinko Grubišć, writer Tom Sunić, publicist C. Michael McAdams, historian Brian Gallagher interviewed Croatian American filmmaker Jack Baric ACTIVISTS Nick Begich,
independent researcher in the
sciences and politics
Ekrem Eck Spahic, defender of the homeland and philatelist Jefrey Kuhner, The Washington Times Jack Baric, Searching for a Storm Luka Misetic, lawyer, recipient of the Vinodol Code Award Michael Palaich, distinguished humanist Joseph Thomas Rukavina, humanitarian activist AMERICAN PRESIDENTS IN CROATIA Richard Nixon, 1970
Bill Clinton, 1996 NONCLASSIFIED Mime Cuvalo,
web developer, proponent of open web
standards, and benefactor
Adam S. Eterovich, researcher of the history of American Croatians Tomislav Kuzmanovic, lawyer, recipient of the Vinodol Code Award Elizabeth Peratrovich, a native woman in Alaska and civil rights pioneer bearing Croatian second name Nasja Bošković Meyer and Jasna Meyer McCarthy, Croatia: The Country and the Language, Volumes I and II Old Croatian Letters BRANDS FROM CROATIA IN THE USA Azithromicyn (Sumamed) - PLIVA
SUVAG (Verbotonal method by Petar Guberina), Zagreb - dr. Carl Asp (USA) Dalmatian dog Zinfandel wine BASIC REFERENCES
Središnji državni ured za Hrvate izvan Republike Hrvatske Hrvatsko iseljeništvo u SAD-u Hrvatsko iseljeništvo u Kanadi Hrvatsko iseljeništvo u Venezueli
Croatian Glagolitic books in the USA Vladimir Novak: Mr. Vladimir Novak, Zagreb, has prepared an important and luxorous monograph CROATIANS IN AMERICA, A Photomonograph, Zagreb - Croatia, 2013 Ante Čuvalo: Hrvati u svijetu Croatian tamburitza in the USA The first tamburitza concert in the USA was held as early as in 1900 in the Carnegie Hall in New York. That same year the American Croats were invited to the White House to play for the president Theodor Roosevelt. In 1902 the first Croatian choir Zora (Dawn) in the USA was founded In 1960 the Croats in Pittsburgh founded the Tamburitza Philharmonic Orchestra, which had 75 players.
Over the past several decades only in the USA several hundred tamburitza orchestras were active, with more than 5,000 players. At this moment The Youth Federation of Tamburitza Players in the USA comprises 44 orchestras. Its rich activity is mainly due to the fruitful efforts of the Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU) (Hrvatska bratska zajednica) and its president Bernard Luketich in Pittsburgh. Except in Croatia and the USA, numerous tamburitza orchestras exist among Croatian diaspora in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Scandinavia, South African Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and elsewhere. I express my deep gratitude to Mr Vladimir Novak for permission to use the above beautiful photo from his collection, and the following one (Croats from Lika, Gorski Kotar and Hercegovina, during their stay in Burnett, Washington, in 1919):
Croatian Fraternal Union, 1894; source Northwest Croatians
Croatian Fraternal Union, USA, 1894 St. Jerome Catholic church in Chicago Croatian Globetrotter Joe Mikulec
Croatian
adventurer Josip (Joseph) Mikulec
set out to circumnavigate the globe on foot in the span of five
years.
![]() Kolendar (Calender), New York, issued by Croatian printing and publishing company,1921 ![]() CroatiaFest 2005, Seattle, USA, Photo - Jal Schrof ![]() Primary school in the town of
Lumbarda on the island of Korčula.
The second plaque, placed in 1931, is dedicated to Maring Gjurgjevic, teacher, built by his former pupils gathered in Lumbarda Club in Oakland, California. ![]() Distinguished Americans in Croatia
Croatia - Australia Croatia - Japan Many thanks to Neand Bach, NY, for suggesting to create this web page. D.Ž. Croatia, Overview of Its History, Culture and Science |