We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our colleague and friend, Dr Ottó Csurgó, Co-chairman of Hungarian AIDA Section, member of the Presidential Council of AIDA.
As general manager of insurance companies, as president of the Hungarian Insurers Association, as attorney at law, as a university lecturer, he dedicated almost all of his life to the field of insurance and insurance law. He was highly proficient in all areas of this legal field, yet at the same time he was also an exceptionally skilled organiser and manager.
As early as the 1980’s he became involved in the work of the Hungarian AIDA Section, taking on a role in organising the 1986 World Congress of AIDA in Budapest. He was an inspiring presence as the leading organiser, very often presenter and moderator at most of the 16 biannual AIDA Budapest Colloquia. He took on similar roles at many of the association’s other events.
He played a prominent role in making more people interested in this area of law that is sometimes a little neglected. He played a leading role in attracting young professionals to the field and getting them involved. What he found most important was nurturing the professional development of his colleagues, building and uplifting the professional community, even though he could have chosen a different career path for himself.
It is in part due to his efforts that AIDA Europe, the Presidential Council of which he was a member of, has held numerous successful colloquia.
It is a great loss to the international community of insurance legal professionals that he could only work for a brief interval in his role as a recently elected member of the Presidential Council.
He played a pioneering role in creating and establishing the scientific journal of the association, and in inspiring others to make it happen.
Ottó believed that as an insurance law professional, one must be smart, knowledgeable, broad-minded, have a sense of humour, and one needs to be curious, well-informed, open to the world, to new lands, people and ideas. Our friend believed that this was the only way to practice this profession, transcending mental and physical barriers, and that is how he set an example to all of us.
His memory will always bring smiles to our faces. May he rest in peace.