Pugach

Proper noun

Pugach (plural Pugaches)

1. A surname from Yiddish, Ukrainian, Russian, meaning “owl”, variant of Pugacz, equivalent to Ukrainian Пугач (Puhač) or Hebrew פוגץ or פוגטש.
   • The crime and trial were tabloid sensations. But the Pugaches were merely at the end of Act 1. During 14 years in prison, Mr. Pugach nursed a fanatical ardor for Miss Riss, writing her love letters in a florid hand.2007 May 27, Ruth La Ferla, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 26 Jan 2021
   1. Burton N. Pugach (1927–2020), disbarred American lawyer
   2. Linda Eleanor Pugach (née Riss, 1937–2013), hired-blinding victim and, later, wife of Burton N. Pugach
      • Most striking about their relationship is not Mrs. Pugach’s lingering resentment, not her husband’s less-than-evident remorse, and not even their mutual dependence, but the marriage’s frank descent into humdrumness.2007 May 27, Ruth La Ferla, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”, in the New York Times, archived from the original on 26 Jan 2021
   3. Leon Pugach (born 1972), Israeli male badminton player
   4. Alina Pugach (born 1993), Israeli female badminton player
   5. Yuval Pugach (born 2001), Israeli female badminton player