Robert Nemeth

Robert Z. Nemeth, 85

WORCESTER - Robert Z. Nemeth, 85, of Worcester died peacefully at home on January 10, 2014. The cause was renal failure, a complication from previous cancer surgery. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Charlene, and his son, the Rev. Bob Nemeth, Jr, both of Worcester, and his grandson, Orion and his wife Alina of Medford.

Mr. Nemeth retired in 2000 after a long and distinguished career with the Worcester Telegram and Gazette where he had been a reporter, editorial writer, chief editorial writer, Sunday editor and editor of the editorial pages. Since his retirement he contributed more than 700 weekly columns for the Sunday Telegram on current events and politics.

Born in Budapest, Mr. Nemeth graduated from the prestigious St. Benedict Academy and the University of Budapest, Hungary with a degree in journalism and literature. He worked for a national magazine, newspapers and Radio Budapest between 1948 and 1956.

In 1956, he was a member of the Petofi Circle, an organization of young writers and journalists that was instrumental in preparing the ground for the anti-Soviet uprising that year. When the revolution was crushed, he was forced to leave Hungary and came to the United States as a political refugee in 1957.

After a brief stay in Miami Beach where he taught himself English while taking various jobs as a porter and busboy, the family resettled in Central Massachusetts. He studied and worked his way back to journalism while working his way up to foreman at H.H. Brown Shoe Company in Worcester.

Mr. Nemeth was a 1970 Stanford Professional Journalism Fellow and received many awards and honors during his career including the Thomas B. Stokes Award for environmental journalism, the Americanism Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and numerous awards for editorial writing from both the UPI and the New England Association of Professional Newspaper Editors. He was active with the National Conference of Editorial Writers and the American Press Institute in Reston, Virginia, where he taught classes in editing and mentored young professionals. He was a frequent theater and music critic for both the Telegram and the Evening Gazette and a reviewed theater for the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities.

Mr. Nemeth was a tireless champion for community causes in Central Massachusetts and served on committees and boards of directors of many organizations including, The International Center of Worcester, Music Worcester, the PIP Shelter, The Performing Arts School of Worcester, the Alliance for Education, Opera Worcester, The Research Bureau, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the Worcester Art Museum. He served as a commissioner for the Worcester Regional Airport. He was proud to be able to use his influence to lobby for local assets such as the DCU Center, Hanover Theatre and Mechanics Hall and the airport.

He was a lifelong tennis enthusiast and several times senior doubles champion at the Holden Towers Tennis Club. He was a member of the Worcester Art Museum, the Bohemians, Mechanics Hall, the Worcester Club and the First Unitarian Church.

A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Worcester, 90 Main Street, on Thursday, January 16 at 11:00 am.

Arrangements are in the care of Callahan & Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St.

www.callahanfay.com