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Tibor was born on July 21, 1934, in Budapest, Hungary. He was raised in Budapest and was 10 years old when WWII began in his country. His mother was a housewife, and his father worked as an accountant. Tibor completed four years of elementary school, graduating just as WWII hit Hungary. The Germans occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944.
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During this time, Tibor didn’t hear much about the war, as his parents were very protective. They had to move into designated Jewish houses, as the ghetto was established in November 1944, after the Germans came in October. Tibor’s grandmother lived across the street in a house that was designated as Jewish, so the family moved into her house in early May.
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Tibor sensed something was happening around October, but his parents shielded him from most of it. His father was sent to a forced labor camp both before and after their move, though he was with the family during the transition.
When the Hungarian Aerocross took control with the Germans in October 1944, Tibor’s family went into hiding. They hid in stores, their own house, or other places.
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His mother managed to get his father out of the labor camp, and the family went into hiding. Tibor and his father, along with another man, hid in a non-Jew’s apartment, staying in a room with a curtain over the door to conceal its existence. Tibor’s mother had false papers and didn’t wear the Jewish star, so she was able to live somewhat normally and bring food to them. His grandmother hid in another part of the city.
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Tibor’s family remained in hiding until the Russian army liberated them on January 14, 1945. However, after this "liberation," the Russian army took his father away for a few months, and Tibor returned home with his mother.
On October 23, 1956, the Hungarian Revolution began, and by November of that year, Tibor left Hungary for Vienna. He stayed in Vienna for a few months, and in February 1957, he emigrated to the United States on his own.
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His father remained in Budapest, too ill to travel, and he passed away in June 1957. Tibor’s mother stayed in Vienna for a time but was able to travel to America after Tibor’s father died.
Upon arriving in the United States, Tibor was placed in Camp Kilmer in New Jersey, which served as the Hungarian Refugee Distribution Center. After spending 2-4 weeks there, he was given the option to move to either Washington, DC, or Boston. He chose DC.
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Later, Tibor received a scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota, where he stayed until 1960 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
In 1960, Tibor was stationed in Hawaii for his military service until April 1963. After completing his service, he moved to New York City.
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Tibor Hauerstock interview at Manhattan Day School - 2023-2024
Manhattan Day School
