SZENTPETERY, Dr. Szabolcs "Saint Pete", 84, of Richmond, Virginia passed away on November 13, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents; Dr. Lenke Szilvassy and Dr. Gyula Laszlo Szentpetery; and stepfather, Dr. Nandor Skarupinszky. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Victoria Du Szentpetery; children, Dr. Eva Szentpetery Smith (Russ Smith), Sonya Szentpetery (Peter Lasne), Dr. Sylvia Elaine Szentpetery (Jack Heaton); grandchildren, Lauren Smith, Nate Smith, and Gabriel Szentpetery Lasne; sister, Dr. Ildi Ivanoff; brother, Dr. Tamas Szentpetery; and many other loving family and friends. Szentpetery graduated from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Summa Cum Laude, in 1963. He served as faculty at VCU under the tutelage of Dr. David Hume and Dr. Richard Lower. He was drafted to Vietnam, where his service to veterans began and was awarded a Bronze Star. He was a master surgeon and trained generations of skilled surgeons who have continued to provide care and serve patients globally. Szentpetery pioneered long distance heart transplantation and established the heart transplant programs at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veteran Affairs Medical Center and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 17, at Bliley's Chippenham, at 6900 Hull Street Rd, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m Saturday, November 18, 2023. Livestream link available at blileys.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Nov. 15, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Szabolcs Szentpetery

Sponsored by Bliley's Funeral Home - Chippenham Chippenham Chapel.

11 Entries

Adrienne Montesanti

December 18, 2024

Wonderful man and physician. I was honored to know and work with him. Always fond memories!

Adrienne Montesabti

November 9, 2024

Wonderful Man, surgeon and compassionate care giver! Loved working with him and was always impressed with his skill and humour. Loved his frequent take on American politics. Gave a lot to think about from a person born abroad!!! Thanks, Pete!

Pamela J Gregory

November 17, 2023

From the bottom of my heart I offer my sincere condolences to the family and close friends of Dr. Saint Pete. I had a heart attack at age 39 and Dr. Saint Pete was my surgeon for the double bypass at Norfolk Sentara Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia. He was exceptional...my mammary artery bypass is still clear after 30 years. My family and I will always be grateful to him for giving me these years yo raise my son and daughter, my grandsons and granddaughter. God bless you and hold you in his arms for eternity.

Anonymous

November 17, 2023

Thank you for your service sir, welcome home.

Laura Savage RCNS

November 16, 2023

As a new clinician I was intimidated by his stature and manner. However, I came to know his gentle side. What caring clinician. Patients well fare was almost first. A true gentleman and professional. His contributions to cardiac surgery are legendary. I was privileged to work with him. Laura Savage RCNS

Josie S Hanrahan

November 16, 2023

Dr. Szentpetery left his imprints on the lives of many. A pioneer as he implemented the first "in house" Heart Transplant Program for the Veteran Administration at Mc Guire VAMC. He was highly loved by his patients as he was regarded as a hero. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Joan Foster

November 15, 2023

Dr. Szentpetery saved my mother's life with his superior heart surgery skills and expertise. He helped her to live an additional 14 1/2 years, more than doubling her predicted life expectancy. He was kind and compassionate to her and all of us in her family. He is a great loss as he helped so many and lived a magnanimous life. Rest in peace, Dr. Szentpetery. May your heavenly crown shine radiantly for all eternity.

James Zocco

November 15, 2023

Dr.Szentpetry was and will remain a legend to all that knew him. I had the privilege of being his intern in surgery and then having him as a mentor when I trained in cardiac surgery. He was the most technically gifted surgeon I ever observed. His technical skills were matched by his encyclopedic knowledge of medicine. He was one outstanding human being.

Adrienne Montesanti

November 15, 2023

What a wonderful person and physician! So kind, compassionate and skilled. He always had time for consolation, education and friendship. He was a favorite of all who knew him! A true hero throughout his life!

Jane Beard

November 15, 2023

I was privileged to know him. An outstanding physician and saved many lives. A tremendous loss.

Ike Koziol

November 15, 2023

He was a gentle giant. As a resident in urology, he helped me a few times when cancers spread to the vena cava and beyond. Always kind in his slightly gruff manner. May his memory be a blessing to all

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results