It is with great sadness FISU announces that Dr. Robert Frenkl, President of the Hungarian University Sports Federation passed away on the 5th February 2010 at the age of 76. Although it was an acknowledged fact that he was suffering from serious health problems for a long time, he was always active, hard working, and his loss is yet unexpected and impossible to deal with. On February 6th, the Hungarian media reported his death, appreciating his merits, his outstanding qualities.
Born on 24th May 1934 he graduated in 1958 at the Budapest University of Health Sciences, and soon he became a determining person of the Hungarian sports medicine. He was the professor of the faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences of the Semmelweis University until his death, Head of Department of Health Sciences and Sports Medicine for 30 years. Robert Frenkl was a versatile personality, a doctor, well known sports leader, university professor, sports scientist, who was able to fulfil all these duties and responsibilities on a very high level.
In the period of 1981 – 2002 he was the President of the Hungarian Sports Doctors Society, from 1996 until 2002 the President of the Hungarian Society of Sports Sciences, executive board member of the Hungarian Olympic Committee for ten years, President of the Hungarian University Sports Federation from 1991, also holding different positions in the related international organizations.
Starting from 1979 he played a significant role in the growth of FISU and the development of international university sports. He was a Member of the CMI (1979-1987), Assessor (1987-2003), Deputy-Chairman CMI (1991-1996), Chairman CMI (1996-2003) and Honorary Member since 2005.
His death is a great loss for both Hungarian and International University Sports. FISU and HUSF, besides several other organizations, mourns Dr. Frenkl together with his wife Sylvia, his children, grandchildren and the whole Hungarian sports society.
Dr. Robert Frenkl