Steve S. Szabo

Steve Szabo, age 94, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully with family at his side on July 2, 2021. Steve was born in Franklin, New Jersey, and grew up in Jamesburg, New Jersey. He graduated from Jamesburg High School in 1945, then enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He was in the Army Reserves for 28 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He attended Rutgers University, Kansas State University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ultimately earning his PhD in Agronomy.
He married the love of his life, Gladys Thierer on September 5, 1955, in Madison, Wisconsin. His career as a scientist took Steve and Gladys to New Mexico, Virginia, Maryland, and Monsey, New York. He worked at the Boyce Thompson Institute for plant research in Yonkers, New York for many years. After retirement from his scientific career, he worked various jobs and owned two small businesses. He had many interests and hobbies over the years, including flying small planes, skydiving, singing in the church choir, and especially gardening.
He and Gladys moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin after her retirement. In Oshkosh, he volunteered with the EAA and was active in the Algoma Methodist Church. While suffering with dementia, he lived at Sharehaven in Oshkosh for the past three years.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Alex Szabo and Mary Szajko Szabo, his brothers Alex, John, and Ernest Szabo; his sisters, Margaret and Helen Szabo, Esther Higgins, and Irene Heege. He was also preceded in death by his son, Stephen Szabo, and his dear sisters and brother-in-law Justin and Ruth Donahay, Shirley and Frank Sennett, Mary and Bob Fahey, and Mel and Pat Thierer.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Gladys, his son Ernie (Amie) Szabo, his daughter Susan Szabo (Mark Beecher) and his daughter Liz (Chris) and grandchildren Emily Szabo, Katie D’Allessandro, Stephanie Szabo, Erin Beecher, Matthew Beecher, and Clara. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He will be buried at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, New York next to his son Stephen. A graveside service will take place on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 12PM. Father Michael Rafferty will be officiating.
Family would like to thank the Staff at Sharehaven, especially Mary Stelter and all the caring staff for their care of Steve and for protecting his dignity. We would also like to thank the nurses and aids at Evergreen Creekside north and Compassus hospice staff for their compassionate care in his last days.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.