Jacksonville, FL 32207 - JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - George Berzsenyi, loving and devoted husband of 61 years to Kay, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on June 4, 2026.

George was a good man, a good husband and a good father. He was also a good citizen and a good son of his native land, Hungary. He was born in Budapest on the 17th of August, 1938, to Miklós Vargha, an artillery officer and Kornélia Berzsenyi, a landowner and a great-granddaughter of the famous poet, Berzsenyi Dániel. It was the love of his poetry that prompted George to change his name from Vargha Gyorgy Sándor to George Berzsenyi officially in 1961.

As a high school senior, George took an active part in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against communism and the Russians. Hence, he was forced to leave Hungary when the Mighty Soviet Union crushed the revolution and re-established communism in Hungary. George escaped the cruelty of the new regime by fleeing to Austria and immigrating to the United States. Fortunately, his father accompanied him, and after overcoming many challenges, helped him to get his degree.

He met Kay Markey while they were both working toward their mathematical diplomas at the University of Dallas. They married on the 16th of January 1965, shortly before graduating, and settled in Ft. Worth, Texas, where both received teaching fellowships in mathematics at Texas Christian University. Following the birth of their son, Adam, in 1966, George accepted a teaching position at Northeast Louisiana State College in Monroe, Louisiana. During the two years there, Kay finished her MA degree while George was awarded his PhD in absentia. They also welcomed their daughter, Lydia, into the family before returning to Texas, where George was hired as an assistant professor at Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont. There they welcomed two more sons, Eric and Daniel.

After some research in Complex Analysis, George got involved in mathematical competitions for high school students. In addition to full-time teaching, George spent his mathematical career posing problems and fostering mathematical talent development, following the exemplary Hungarian tradition. At Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN, he spent the first six years chairing the math department, retiring early as Professor Emeritus. His extensive work with high school students was recognized by an Paul Erdős Award as well as the Gung and Hu Lifetime Achievement Award for Mathematics. At the end of his career, he donated his extensive mathematical library to institutions in Hungary.

In retirement George's interests shifted to genealogy, although he still found time to author, co-author and edit 5 books in Mathematics and several articles. His extensive correspondence and genealogical research resulted in 3 volumes in English (these can be found on Amazon.com) and "A Berzsenyi Krónika" (in Hungarian) as well as some articles in Hungarian. Additionally, George organized several family reunions in Hungary.

George was a fiercely competitive game player who tried to beat even the youngest family member in a game. He and Kay played a game almost every day of their retirement and found new bridge partners wherever they made their home. He passed along his love of games to his children, their spouses, and grandchildren. He loved holding babies and was particularly gifted at late-night hall walking that would calm the fussiest baby.

George was also adventurous and enjoyed exploring new places and meeting people. He and Kay literally traveled the world, culminating in a round-the-world cruise filled with stops to visit friends and fellow mathematicians in numerous locations. Additionally, he and Kay made it a tradition to take each of their grandchildren on a special trip, creating cherished memories and lasting bonds.

An avid correspondent and letter writer, George stayed in contact with thousands of people including relatives, mathematicians, and fellow genealogists alike for over 70 years. Although he embraced Skype, Facebook Messenger and email, his preferred method of communication was hand-written letters, which he saved in multiple file cabinets that traveled with him from state to state.

George collected books on poetry and Berzsenyi Dániel, CDs and albums of Hungarian and American folk music, puzzles and games, walking sticks, and talented young mathematicians with a thirst for knowledge and elegant solutions.

In passing, George is survived by his wife, Kay; children, Adam (Mikey), Lydia (Terry), Eric (Cindy), and Daniel (Ági); 12 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and their children, and 4 great-grandchildren. Their family tree can be found at www.berzsenyifamily.net.

The funeral Service will be held at 10:45 am, Saturday, August 15, 2026, at. St Joseph's Historical Church, 4124 Loretto Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223 with lunch to follow. Donations may be made in George's memory to https://artofproblemsolving.org/donate.html or via check to "Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc", please designate "USAMTS" and mail to: Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc., 55 Exchange Place Suite 401, New York, NY 10005.