Yaroslav Bihun

Yaroslav Bihun (81) of Washington, D.C. passed away peacefully on August 30, 2024. Loving husband of Motrja (nee Hruszkewycz, deceased 1970); devoted partner of Ada Kulyk; cherished brother of Marta Kowcz ((deceased) and Bohdan (deceased)), Oksana Chaikovsky ((deceased) and Yuriy (deceased)), Yuriy Bihun ((deceased) and Lilia (deceased)), Andriy Bihun (and Lesia), Chrystia Gross (and Richard); dedicated uncle of Romko, Taras (deceased), Petro, Daria, Natalie, Donna, Lida, Andrew, Ulana, Lesya, Daria, Zenko, Andriy (deceased), and Lilia, along with their partners and children in the U.S. and Ukraine. 

Yaroslav, also known as Yarko, Yari, and Yaro, was committed to public service and journalistic excellence. He served in the U.S. Army for three years and worked for the U.S. Information Agency- African Press Branch, was among the first press attachés at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, correspondent for the Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Service, and writer for Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. He also served as a member and volunteer for The Washington Group, The Washington Group Cultural Fund, and Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization USA- Burlaky, and was a dedicated conservationist. 

His voice, written words, and photographs captured and communicated decades of political and cultural news affecting Ukraine and Ukrainians in Ukraine and throughout the diaspora. It was hard to miss Yarko, his hands were often full with a notepad, pen, a camera, and multiple lenses. He used these tools to give voice to our human condition in overcoming injustice, sparking possibility, and finding beauty in ordinary and extraordinary moments. 

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, 4250 Harewood Rd. NE, Washington, DC 20017. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to: Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America (School of Journalism), Plast USA-Aid for Refugees, Alzheimer's Association, or other organizations supporting on the ground efforts in Ukraine, such as Sunflower Seeds Ukraine (https://www.sunflowerseedsukraine.org/) and Razom (https://www.razomforukraine.org/).