Laszlo Jozsef Pinter, presidential aide
Laszlo Jozsef Pinter, 76, of Ocean View, passed away Friday, April 13, 2018, at his home surrounded by his wife and children. He was born Thursday, June 5, 1941, in Eger, Hungary, son of the late Jozsef L. and Madeline Pinter.
Laszlo and his older brother Steven survived war-torn Europe as small children in Hungary, followed by the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. In November of that year, unbeknownst to their parents, the two adolescent brothers traveled on foot to Austria, and eventually to America. With the help of their New York-born mother, they were able to attain citizenship, and eventually build their lives here in the U.S.
After graduating private school at St. Bernard's Preparatory School in Cullman, Ala., Laszlo began his collegiate studies, and shortly thereafter met Barbara Willette, known as Bobbi, who was to be his bride.
Shortly after their wedding June 12, 1965, Laszlo went on to serve in the Army from 1966-68. After an honorable discharge and the birth of their first child, Jozsef Laszlo, he graduated with a degree in business from American University in Washington, D.C.
With the help of his beloved Bobbi, he was able to secure a position as a special agent with the U.S. customs service. During this time, Laszlo and Bobbi welcomed their second child, Erika Kristine.
His career took him around the globe, living in such foreign places as Tokyo, Japan and Bonn, Germany. Amongst other honorable duties, he served in the presidential detail for both Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. In 1989, at the end of the Cold War he was also honored with the position of special agent in charge of security for President George Bush during his presidential visit to Hungary. He dedicated nearly 31 years to his work in government service before retiring in Great Falls, Va. In 2011, Bobbi and Laszlo made the decision to relocate to Ocean View, where they remained until his passing.
Laszlo is survived by his wife of 53 years Barbara (Willette) Pinter; his children: Erika and Jozsef (Vanessa); his brother Steven (Patricia); his niece Elissa; his nephew John; and his grand-nieces Madeleine, Ireland and Elle.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, April 19, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, 34874 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.
Interment will follow the services at 1 p.m., at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
If you would like to honor Laszlo's memory with a donation, the Pinter family suggests contributions to VFW Post 7234, 29265 Marshy Hope Way, Ocean View, DE 19970, where Laszlo enjoyed much of his time.
Please visit Laszlo's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
