Harold M. Koch
Harold M. Koch (born 1932) was an American Roman Catholic priest from Chicago who defected to the Soviet Union in 1966.[1][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 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]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ex-US-Priest Explains Defection on Russ TV". The Milwaukee Journal, 9/13/1966.
- ^ "Seriously Ill Father Grieves Over Priest-Son's Defection". Arkansas Catholic. 23 September 1966. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "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.