Edi Gobec made his mark as a leading sociologist, even though he had to leave Slovenia because of the hostile political environment in his homeland. Even though he pursued his career abroad, he became a fierce advocate for Slovenia and helped out his native country when it needed help the most.

Gobec was born in 1926 in the town of Celje. He was religious even as young man and attended both high school and a local seminary. His relatively carefree youth was cut short by World War II. Gobec was determined to resist the occupying Germans, and he participated in several acts of sabotage against the Nazis. He was just 17 when he was sent to work in a labor camp and then drafted into the German Army. Sent to fight in France, he cooperated with the French Resistance, and then joined the allied troops after the D-Day landings.

Despite his impeccable anti-Nazi credentials, Gobec had no desire to return to Slovenia, which had been taken over by the Communists. He spent several years living in Italy until he immigrated to the United States in 1950. He continued his studies there; he worked as physical laborer in order to pay the tuition. He was upset by the taunting of his coworkers who teased him that there were no famous Slovenians, and he was deeply disturbed by an erroneous report claiming that most Slovenians were illiterate. Determined to change things, he set out to promote Slovenia at every opportunity.

Gobec received his PhD. in sociology and anthropology from Ohio State in 1962. His teaching and research work frequently dealt with minorities, particularly the blind and America’s immigrant communities. Over the years, Gobec received a number of awards for his academic work, but he also remained a passionate commentator on Slovenian affairs in newspapers and on the radio.

In 1991 Slovenia declared its independence. In the months before the declaration, Gobec had helped to fund pro-independence political parties in his homeland, and once independence was declared, he immediately sprang to action ... He raised awareness about the political situation in Slovenia, lobbied influential American politicians, and gave a highly influential speech in favor of the country’s recognition, which was reprinted by a number of U.S. newspapers and read out at political rallies as far as Canada. Ultimately, the United States recognized Slovenia in April 1992.

Gobec, now a Professor Emeritus, has recently written a book about Slovenians who have changed the world in various fields, from culture to medicine - a book that he hopes will ensure that no Slovenians will ever have any difficulties naming their successful compatriots.