Ripa, Karol
Diplomat. Consul General of Poland in Chicago. Born in Lisko, Poland, March 21, 1895; son of Antoni and Ksawera (Hickel) Ripa. Completed gymnasium in Lwow, Poland. Studied at Export Academy in Vienna Austria. In 1926 received from the University of Poznan, Department of Politics and Economics, degree of Master of Science of Politics and Economics. ln 1927 same University granted him a degree of Doctor of Science in Politics and Economics. Married Antonia Wolodkiewicz, June 15, 1919; one son, Thaddeus. While studying in Vienna was secretary of the Polish University Students in Vienna. In 1915 exiled to Siberia for taking part in the movement of independence for Poland. During his stay in Siberia elected president of the Alliance of Poles in the Jenisejka Gubernia. In 1917 president of Polish Democratic Union in Siberia. At the Congress of Poles in Nowonikolajewsk elected attorney-in-fact of the Polish National Committee for Siberia and Russia with headquarters in Krasnojarsk. In 1922 appointed secretary of Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Krolewiec. Later Vice-Consul of Republic of Poland in Olsztyn (Allenstein), East Prusia. In 1924-25 Director of Immigration Section in Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At that time sent to Berlin as Secretary of the Polish Delegation for the negotiations of the emigration problems with the German Government. From 1926 to 1934 Consul of Republic of Poland in Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia. In this post he worked on the Czechoslovak-Polish collaboration, organizing several Czech-Polish clubs. Elected honorary member of a series of Czech-Polish civic institutions. In 1934 all the Polish organizations in Czechoslovakia adopted a resolution of the following text: "Dr. Ripa rendered a good service to the Polish cause." In August, 1934 appointed by the Polish Government, Commissioner for the Convention of the World League of Poles in Warsaw. From 1935 to October, 1938, Consul General of Poland in Pittsburgh. Pa. In 1939 acting Chief of the Section of Diplomatic and Consular Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Warsaw. Poland. Since November 1, 1939 to date, Consul General of Poland in Chicago. Honorary member of the Polish Falcons in Czechoslovakia, Polish Alma Mater in Czechoslovakia and Christian Workers Union in Karwin, Czechoslovakia. In Warsaw, Poland, vice-president of the Alliance of former students of the Business College in Vienna. Honorary member of "Radiant Society" Polish National Alliance Lodge of Pittsburgh, Pa. Honorary member of Rotary Club, Adventurers Club, Lake Shore Club, Association of Commerce, Chicago, Ill. In 1924 wrote a treatise "The Polish Immigration in the various countries." Received the following decorations: Polish -- Officers Cross "Polonia Restituta," Cross of Independence, Golden Cross of Merit, and Cross of Idealistic Prisoners; Foreign -- French Cavalier's Cross of "Legion d' honneur" and Hungarian Cross of Merit of the Red Cross. Residence: 49 E. Cedar Street, Chicago, Illinois.From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943