Böhm, Emanuel

Dr. Emanuel Böhm was born on February 1, 1909 in Vrútky, Slovakia. The former professor of chemistry and natural sciences earned his Bachelor's degree in 1928, followed by his Master's Degree in chemistry and natural sciences between 1931 and 1934. In 1934, he received his Doctoral Degree from Charles University in Prague in the areas of chemistry, plant physiology, bacteriology and genetics.

Between 1934 and 1936, Dr. Böhm served as a Lieutenant of Heavy Artillery in the Czechoslovak Army. From 1936 to 1939 he taught in various colleges and technical high schools. In September 1939, after the annexation of southern Slovakia by Hungary, the Royal Hungarian Ministry of Education dismissed Dr. Böhm from his post for proclaiming the national and human rights of his people. Dr. Böhm as President of the Slovak National Unity served as spokesman for the 750,000 Slovaks residing in Magyarország during the occupation. During the war years, he worked in journalism and editing. He was the founder and editor of the Slovak language daily, Slovak Unity - Slovenská Jednota in Budapest while being editor of a newly established book publishing affiliate, Edicia Slovenskej Jednoty/Editions of Slovak Unity. Editor of 24 books published by the Guild of Slovak Unity, he was also a member of the Magyar Press Agency.

Following the war, Dr. Böhm resumed his teaching duties in Bratislava. In May 1946, he was elected to the Czechoslovak Parliament as a representative from Eastern Slovakia for the Democratic Party. He eventually served as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament in Prague, later serving as Health Commissioner in Bratislava.

Dr. Böhm and his wife Dr. Mária Dziaková, whom he married in 1941, went into exile in London in 1948 where he became chief chemist at Newlands and Rutherford Brothers. In 1952, the Böhms immigrated to the United States where he worked as Director of Research and Development with the Hoffman Company and later with Corn Products Corporation International. He was honored for his contribution to the food and beverage industries as well as for his research in chemistry. He held a patent on a machine he invented to analyze the contents of beverages. Dr. Böhm was a prolific scientific writer having published 35 articles on flavor and sweetener chemistry.

His life-long love for Slovakia and its culture became even stronger in exile. He served as Vice-President of the Slovenská Národná Rada v Zahranií /Slovak National Council Abroad. Active in Slovak cultural and political affairs, Dr. Böhm was awarded the Stefanik Medal by the Slovak American Cultural Center in New York for his work on behalf of his homeland. He and his wife were co-founders of Múza Tatier (Muse of the Tatras), an award that honors the cultural, scientific and artistic accomplishments of Slovaks and Slovak-Americans. He directed Slovak plays, was the creator of a Slovak Puppet Theater for Slovak children, and was an expert on Slovak folklore and its heritage. He published numerous articles in the Slovak press (both in English and in Slovak) at home and abroad. Dr. Böhm passed away on December 24, 1990 at the age of 81.