The Czech people recently celebrated 30 years of democracy since the Velvet Revolution, freedom which Mr. Novak was denied when the Soviet tanks rolled into Czechoslovakia in 1968. Nevertheless, as Mr. Novak established himself and rose to great prominence in his business in America, he never forgot his roots.

When the communist regime fell, Mr. Novak quickly utilized his efforts to support the new democracy and was promptly approved and appointed as the Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic for the consular district of Georgia. For the next twenty-five years, Mr. Novak diligently provided heartfelt assistance to Czech citizens with consular matters. Moreover, Mr. Novak tirelessly worked to establish the Czech Republic in the Western world, most notably with his efforts to raise support from then-US House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former US Senators Max Cleland and Paul Coverdell for the Czech Republic’s entrance into NATO.

Throughout the next years, Mr. Novak’s endeavors towards cementing the political and commercial ties between the Czech Republic and the United States were highly recognized again and again. Mr. Novak was elevated to Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic. He collaborated on countless successful and important business missions between the two countries. When Czech President Václav Havel received his Medal of Freedom from US President George W. Bush, Mr. Novak accompanied him to the White House.  A decade later, it was Mr. Novak who was awarded the Medal of Merit in the first degree from Czech President Miloš Zeman.

Moreover, Mr. Novak’s passion for culture was appreciated by so many and helped to develop a flourishing cultural transoceanic bond. Mr. Novak served on the Czech Olympic Committee in 1996, the Centennial Olympic Games which brought international distinction to Atlanta. Mr. Novak further worked to arrange for conductors of the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to perform in Prague and sponsored Czech artists to perform in Atlanta, thereby providing for a crucial and beneficial cultural exchange. Most recently, Mr. Novak left his legacy in Atlanta via his founding role in the city’s Czech and Slovak School, which nurtures the respect and love for the Czech heritage, language, and history. 

Mr. Novak truly dedicated his strength, wisdom, and heart to building a transatlantic bridge between his new homeland and his beloved land of birth. We were truly honored to have known him and extend our sincere condolences to his family. He was a great man and one of the greatest torchbearers of the good name of the Czech nation abroad.

 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček sends his condolences

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček has expressed his sincerest condolences to Mr. Novak's family, noting, “His extraordinary life and dedication in support of the Czech-American community and close ties between our two countries as well as his warm personality and humorous attitude earned him admiration and profound respect among Czechs and Americans.”

 

Mayor of the City of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms expresses her condolences

Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms remembers Mr. Novak for “for his unyielding commitment to building economic and cultural ties and the historic relationship that he helped bridge between the Czech Republic and the City of Atlanta.”  

Condolence Letter from the Mayor of Atlanta (PDF, 139 KB)