Szeless, Adorjan (Adi)

Dr. Adorjan (Adi) Szeless, 85, Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering Department at Virginia Tech, formerly of Blacksburg, passed away on August 24, 2012, in his home in Budapest, Hungary. He was born in Budapest, Hungary on December 7, 1927. He and his wife, Gertrud, left Hungary after the 1956 uprising and lived in Hamburg, Germany until 1959, when they emigrated to the United States. He became an American citizen in 1964. In 1962 he accepted a teaching position at Mechanical Engineering Department at Virginia Tech, which he held until his retirement in 1992. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrud Gaal, Blacksburg; brother, George Szeless, Painesville, Ohio. He is survived by Zsuzsa Szekerak, his wife of his last 12 years, Budapest, Hungary; her children, Andras Gaal, and Emese Gaal. Budapest, Hungary; nephews George Szeless and his wife, Mentor, Ohio, Zsolt Szeless and his wife and children, Brookville, Md., Stephen T. Gaal and his wife and children, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Christopher G. Gaal and his wife and daughter, Bloomington, Ind.; nieces Andrea Lencione and her children, Northville, Mich., and Monika S. Hirn and her children, West Bloomfield, Mich. Also surviving are sisters in law Berta Szeless, Painesville, Ohio, and Erika Gaal, Columbus, Ind.; cousin Kati Agoston and her husband, Gabor, Blacksburg; their sons, Attila Agoston and family, Purcellville, Peter Agoston, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and several cousins and their families, Budapest, Hungary. He will be missed and remembered for a long time by his loving family and friends. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blacksburg, with Fr. Remi Sojka officiating. Interment will follow to Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1205 Old Mill Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg.