Tampa Tribune, The (FL) - October
24, 2005
Author: ANTHONY McCARTNEY,
amccartney@tampatrib.com
By ANTHONY McCARTNEY
amccartney@tampatrib.com
TAMPA — Herman Friedman still remembers the speech his friend gave shortly
after being picked as the dean of the medical school at the University of South
Florida more than 20 years ago.
Andor Szentivanyi described how he, his wife and young child braved a minefield
to make their way from Hungary to Austria in 1957. The family — who escaped
Nazis and then fled the Communists — made their way to the United States, and
later, to Tampa, Friedman said.
Szentivanyi’s story reduced Friedman and others to tears, Friedman recalled
Sunday night.
The former dean died Saturday and was buried Sunday.
But it was his work with Swedish diplomat and Holocaust hero Raoul Wallenberg,
who saved thousands of Jews from Nazi persecution, that should grant
Szentivanyi heroic status, Rabbi Joel Wasser said.
Szentivanyi, a humble man, did not publicize his work with Wallenberg, Wasser
said.
He was the third dean of USF’s College of Medicine and frequently published and
edited books. He remained a professor, even after he resigned as dean in 1987
while the college experienced financial woes.
Friedman said Szentivanyi’s departure had more to do with politics than
mismanagement, noting that he served for more than seven years, whereas most
deans don’t stay more than three.
Wasser said Szentivanyi’s life — especially his work with Wallenberg —
warranted a special commendation. "Toddah rabbah," Wasser said he
told Szentivanyi’s mourners Sunday. "Thank you so very much" for the
scores of lives he saved.
BORN: Born in Miskolc, Hungary, in 1926
DIED: Oct. 22, 2005, in Tampa
SURVIVORS: His wife of 56 years, Judith, of Lutz; sons Peter and Edward
Saint-Ivan of Lutz
SERVICES: Buried Sunday at Gan Shalom Cemetery
MEMORIAL GIFTS: LifePath Hospice
Researcher Melanie O’Bannon contributed to this report. Reporter Anthony
McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616.