Mr Robert Szego

Robert Szego, 76, of Athens, NY passed away peacefully at home on August 31, 2023. Robert was born in Budapest, Hungary and he emigrated to the United States as a child. He grew up in New York City where he became a big fan of Yankee baseball. Robert was an entrepreneur who began his career as a computer programmer and systems analyst. He was also a trendsetter for today’s “flexible work arrangements”- working late into the night but preferred not to rise much before noon. Survivors include his daughter Dvora Szego; his siblings Andy Szego and Anne Novak; and close friends Norman Freed, Charlie Dowd, and Dan Rubino Robert enjoyed filling his free time with many interests including swing dancing, listening to classical music, signing in choral groups, skiing, and studying the philosophy of Ayn Rand. But Robert’s great passion in life was flying. He loved nothing more than spending his afternoons buzzing around locally or heading further afield around New England for the metaphorical hundred-dollar hamburger. Robert also enjoyed taking longer cross-country trips to Oshkosh (Wisconsin), the Bahamas, and even a long journey over the Rockies to California. His love of flying also permeated his wardrobe. Robert was rarely seen wearing anything other than T-shirts covered in planes. The latter half of Robert’s life was spent in Greene County, NY where he built his log cabin in the woods on Sleepy Hollow Lake and purchased his own plane. The red and white two passenger Citabria was quickly nicknamed “Sparky” by his daughter and the name stuck for over 30 years. Robert spent hundreds if not thousands of hours flying Sparky, many of those hours shared with friends and family, including dragging his daughter to fly-ins near and far. It was this love of flying and specifically his aircraft type that led Robert to the next chapter in his life as President of the Bellanca-Champion Club. Running the club brought Robert friendships throughout the general aviation community and allowed him to connect with members around the world-spinning tales and sharing technical advice. Services for Robert will not be held, in accordance with Robert’s beliefs. Anyone wishing to honor Robert’s memory can best do so by embracing your own passion in life. Arrangements for Robert are under the direction of Richards Funeral Home of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Inc., 29 Bross Street, Cairo, N.Y., 12413. Condolences and memories of Robert may be shared at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net