Shocked this evening to learn of Marton’s passing. My deepest condolences to the family. We first met when he was with Prof Groumpos at Cleveland State U working on photovoltaic solar energy projects and I was doing the same at NASA Lewis. We met later in the 1990s when my NASA project was headed to Russia’s Mir space station. Marton was a big help getting us acclimated. Fortunately for me, he lead a NASA team to Moscow when I travelled there for negotiations at the same time. 
Marton was a sharp technical person and more so, a friend. RIP Marton. 

Marton’s passing left me heartsick.  He should have gotten more retirement time with his wife and daughters of whom he spoke so highly and often!  As many others have said, he was a special guy, always ready with his humor, intelligence and unique perspective to contribute both to the mission and more importantly, to the people around him.  I was certainly blessed to have his partnership for many years in identifying training curriculum for engineers, developing systems engineering capability, and attending to knowledge management practices at NASA Glenn. He was most fun on travel with his many stories and love of good food – even enduring his scary driving habits! I never met anyone like him and will be eternally grateful for his generous help and friendship.  RIP, Marton.  Hope to see you on the other side!

I was out of the country when I heard the shocking news of Marton’s passing. It really hit me and I couldn’t respond to anyone for a day. I also thought sadly for him and his family- leave it to a fellow Retiree to think this way- that here it happened as he was about to enjoy the full retirement that he had earned. 

My favorite memories of Marton are the stories we shared during the days of the breakup of the USSR leading to expansion of the international space station program- which I had been head of System Engineering on- to include Russia. The (relative) chaos that ensued- (well, maybe not so “relative”; the Russian White House or Parliament was shelled in the middle of some of these negotiations)-  when it turned out the number of competent translators/interpreters available to NASA could not only be counted on just one hand for such a large program- but on only one or two fingers- Marton being one of them. He plaid a central role in a couple of key years making sure that we and our new Russian partners were, in fact, all talking about building the same sort of space station- not an insignificant achievement! 

Ad Astra, Marton!

Dave Huntsman

I met Marton shortly after he started at nasa. We carpooled together for a number of years and then we talked occasionally at the lab. In addition my wife Bonnie and I talked with Marton and Marina a few times at Cleveland Orchestra concerts. We send our sincere condolences to Marina and the family.
Peter Sockol, nasa (ret).

I met Marton as a member of the NASA Systems Engineering Working Group (SEWG) many years ago.  Marton was an impactful member of the SEWG as well as the Systems Engineering community at large.  He will be missed.  My prayers and condolences go out to the family.

Jess and Family,

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

Cheryl Ruziska

Marina  I am so sorry for your loss.    My thoughts and prayers are with you

Alice Wyman (your BetShan buddy)

Martin was a colleague and true friend at NASA. He and I had many conversations about systems engineering, NASA, and life in general. We enjoyed each other's company, especially on our trips to INCOSE CONFERENCES to many areas of the globe. My wife Mary Anne reminds me how much we enjoyed our trip with Martin and Marina to the Netherlands for INCOSE. He was forever talking about the accomplishments of his two daughters as they grew up.  It was very apparent how much he loved them.  He will be missed. 

Marton was a tremendous engineer an a great asset to NASA . But more importantly he was an outstanding person. I had the pleasure of working with Marton for several years. I enjoyed all of his stories and discussing his life experiences and our families. Marton will be missed by all of us who knew him.
My sincerest condolences to you for your loss. Steve Kapurch NASA (ret)

I never worked directly with Marton, but he worked on projects with others in my area; he was very personable and down to earth, you could be a grade 4 or grade 14 and he would treat you the same.
My sincere condolences to your family at this difficult time. 

Our paths at NASA crossed only occasionally and, surprisingly, we found ourselves meeting more often at Latin jazz concerts with our spouses, with time to enjoy each other's company. Regardless of setting, Marton came across to all as a wise and gentle soul, with authenticity, and who had a lovely gift of making anyone and everyone he met instantly at ease.   We talked often of work travel, of work we had done with senior NASA management, and of family.  I feel blessed to have had those conversations and friendship.  He will be missed.

During his many years of service with NASA, Marton touched many projects and encountered many individuals around the world.  He shared his technical experiences that impacted the successful results of numerous NASA missions.  Throughout his career, the most noted memory I have of Marton was his personable nature of wanting to getting to know individuals and share personal experiences.  He made an impact at NASA and will truly be missed.

Neil Rainwater
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center

We were both saddened to hear that our Misha is no longer with us.
We will remember him as a great friend and meeting him in our home, or when we met up in Budapest was always a happy occasion. Misha was an avid chess player and contested in many correspondence tournaments. Once, when we discussed one of his games, he responded to a suggestion to consult a computer program for his next move, he said that would not be fair or honorable. Misha was a fine person, a real mensch. We will cherish his memory.
Kati and Tibor, Santa Monica, California.

Marton was a friend and co-worker who was loved by everyone that knew him.  He will be truly missed.  My condolences to his family and friends.  May he Rest in Peace.  

OBITUARY

Marton Forkosh

June 20, 1947 – July 14, 2021

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

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