George Horvath, Sr.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1934, George’s early years were anything but dull. His family endured the turmoil of WWII, surviving bombings in Berlin and ending the war as refugees in Offenburg, Germany. Seeking a new beginning, his family left post-war Germany, briefly stopping in Venezuela before settling in the United States in 1952.

George attended Glendale Junior College in Southern California, where he met his first wife, Lynn, the mother of his three children—George Jr., Tom, and Karin. With his growing family and a career to build, he headed north to UC Berkeley, earning his MA in Architecture in 1963. A proud Golden Bear, he launched a successful career in the Bay Area as a commercial architect, later holding leadership roles in the AIA and the Architectural Board of Examiners.

For over 40 years, George built his business and a life full of memories in Northern California. He loved spending weekends and holidays with his extended family and friends—whether at his home in the Oakland Hills, the serene beauty of Carmel, or the beloved house he built in Tahoe.

Retirement brought him to Hailey, Idaho, near his daughter, where he found a close-knit community of like-minded friends. A cultured and intellectual man, George spoke four languages and deeply appreciated art, classical music, world affairs, and politics—always ready for a spirited debate! He filled his home with the things he loved: music, books, art, and his watercolor paintings. George took great joy in cooking and entertaining.

A lifelong fitness enthusiast, George eagerly took on new sports with friends, often embellishing his past athletic prowess with humorously exaggerated tales. While he valued health, which led to his longevity, his one true weakness was a love of all foods German, especially hearty breads, pastries and desserts.

Late in life, George remarried and spent his remaining years happily with his wife, Mei, in Hailey, Idaho. He leaves a legacy of cherished memories—his charisma, intelligence, and strong personality, shaped by his Berliner roots—shared with his loving family and dear Stammtisch friends.