Geza was born in Budapest, Hungary on May 22, 1932. He graduated from the Fasori Evangelikus Gymnasium of Budapest in 1951 and received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Budapest in 1956.
He arrived in the United States in 1957 as a refugee after the failed 1956 Hungarian Uprising and became a US citizen in 1962. He received his Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in 1971 and his mechanical engineering career spanned over 50 years. In 1996 he joined the DC office of EYP where he was a partner from 1998 until his retirement in 2007. He was a life member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
His hobbies included classical music (especially operas), reading, space travel and astronomy. He was an avid tennis player for over 30 years and stayed physically active at the local YMCA well into his late 70s. For many years he enjoyed weekly discussions with friends regarding music, politics, literary & historical subjects and current affairs.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Maria (Riet) Illes, daughter Vivian Brown and son-in-law David, beloved granddaughter Sophie Grace, and other family members in the US, Hungary and Slovakia.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son Geza M. Illes who died in 1998 at the age of 24.
A private burial has been arranged, and a Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday April 30, 2022 at 1:00pm at the Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home located at 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Geza’s honor can be made to Montgomery & Prince George’s Hospice or UNICEF.
