Bryan Eugene Szabo

1966 - 2024

Bryan Eugene Szabo May 18, 1966 - May 8, 2024 Bryan Eugene Szabo was born on May 18, 1966 to Eugene and Marilyn Szabó. He died May 8, 2024. Bryan was a gifted student who was placed in advanced classes from elementary through high school. He graduated from Quartz Hill High School in 1984. He graduated at the top of his class and received a scholarship to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. He loved the Pacific Northwest. Ever the adventurer, Bryan left after two years to study German at the University of Tübingen in Germany. He remained in Germany for a year-and-a-half. He returned home and traveled around the United States and Mexico. He completed his studies at UCLA, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1997 with a bachelor of arts degree in German. He attended the St. John's College summer classics program over four summers in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Annapolis, Maryland, to receive his master's degree in liberal arts in August 2001. Bryan loved the Irish rock band U2. It was through his love of U2 that he met Julie, the love of his life. Their mutual love of music and travel took them across the United States and overseas to see U2 and Pearl Jam. Bryan and Julie made many friends of people they met at concerts. Bryan loved all types of music but rock and classical were his favorites. His favorite composer was Gustav Mahler. His favorite conductor was Leonard Bernstein. He loved books and reading. He was an avid reader who owned hundreds of books. He read every book with a pen in his hand to write notes on the edges of the pages. Bryan passed away from stroke complications. He was preceded in death by his mother Marilyn and his father Eugene. Bryan taught middle school and high school for several years. One of his favorite movies was the 1989 film "Dead Poets Society," starring Robin Williams. Williams played maverick English teacher John Keating, who inspired his class of all male students with phrases such as "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." Bryan emulated Keating in his own classrooms as a substitute teacher. He inspired students with his fresh ideas, open mind and honesty. Bryan's career goal was to become a screenwriter and novelist. He wrote multiple scripts and always had ideas for more. He also wrote or was working on several books. He always had ideas for new stories. He loved free-thinking authors. His hero was Henry David Thoreau, an American philosopher, essayist, poet and environmental activist. He loved Thoreau's "Walden." Bryan loved to travel and to interact with people of the world. He traveled to Europe five times, including a trip to Hungary with his father. He camped out in Mexico and spoke four different languages. He loved the ocean and dreamed of living near the beach one day. Bryan traveled to Chicago on a research mission for a writing project. He fell in love with the Windy City. He became a Chicago Bears football fan. He returned to Chicago for the Bears l00th anniversary celebration. Bryan loved riding his motorcycle. He had a yellow Yamaha Super Tenere adventure bike. He took great care of his motorcycle. He always wore safety gear to protect himself. He never crashed the bike. Bryan leaves to cherish his memory: his loving sweetie Julie Drake; a devoted stepfather, George Clemons; one brother, Randy (Arlene) Clemons; three nephews Xavier Clemons, Randy Clemons Jr. and Julian Clemons; a great nephew, Dominic Clemons, aunt Angelina Mogyorody-Nanos, uncle Bela Mogyorody and many friends.