Imre R. Kiss, SDB, was born on August 25, 1916, in Kunszentmárton, the eldest of five children of István R. Kiss, a farmer, and Julianna Scheftsik. He completed his elementary and secondary education in his hometown, then applied for admission to the Salesian Order founded by Don Bosco. He spent his novitiate in Mezőnyárád, completed his high school studies in Esztergom, and received his theological training in Péliföldszentkereszt. Zoltán Meszlényi, Auxiliary Bishop of Esztergom, ordained him a priest on September 26, 1948. He celebrated his first Mass on October 3, 1948, at the main church in Kunszentmárton.

After his ordination, his superiors in the order sent him on a foreign mission. He worked in Cuba for six years, then served in Canada for ten years, where he also provided spiritual care to the Hungarian faithful living there. After his years in Canada, he moved to California. At the parish in Ukiah, he carried out pastoral work among the indigenous people as well as English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners. During the final years of his life, he served as pastor of the parish in McKinleyville, California.

After more than twenty years away, he was able to visit Hungary for the first time. He returned home upon his father’s death and again in 1973 to celebrate his silver jubilee. He celebrated his jubilee Mass on October 7, 1973, at the main church in Kunszentmárton. Later, in 1979 and 1983, he also participated in the pilgrimage festivals at the cemetery chapels in his hometown.

In the final years of his life, he suffered from a serious, incurable illness. Strengthened by the Anointing of the Sick and having received a papal blessing, he passed away on October 14, 1987, at the age of 71. After his ordination in the United States, his ashes were transported back to Hungary in accordance with his wishes. On June 24, 1988, he was laid to rest in the priests’ crypt next to the chapel in the Upper Cemetery of Kunszentmárton.