Michael Szabo, Wertheim Master Mechanic, Celebrates 75th Birthday and Receives Federal Cross of Merit

Birthday: The Wertheim master mechanic Michael Szabo is 75 years old – awarded the Federal Cross of Merit

08/13/2023 – 06:00 a.m

2
Min.

You have to log in to be able to use this functionality.

Michael Szabo at the age of six together with his sister Elisabeth.

Photo: Michael Szabo

Michael Szabo turns 75 on Sunday. Even after retirement, he is still active in his company.

Photo: Birger-Daniel Grein

Managing director, local politician, promoter of town twinning and much more: Michael Szabo was and is involved in many different ways. The Wertheimer celebrates his 75th birthday on Sunday.

He was born on August 13, 1948 in Bonyhad in Hungary. In 1954 he started school there. In October 1956 his family had to flee. “Originally I was supposed to go to Australia to my mother’s godmother, who was looking for workers,” reported Szabo. But then it became Germany. “For me there are no coincidences,” he said. He fled with his family via Austria and on to Zirndorf. “That was the usual route west.”

Since his mother’s siblings were already living in Wertheim, he arrived there with his family on January 6, 1957. From March onwards, Michael Szabo went to elementary school there, which he completed in 1963. This was followed by an apprenticeship at the Dosch company. In 1966 he graduated as a motor vehicle mechanic. He stayed with the company until 1969, then he worked for various car manufacturers and acquired knowledge. In 1972/73 he passed his master’s examination at the Würzburg Chamber of Crafts.

In 1972 he married his wife Brigitte from Kreuzwertheim. Son Timo was born in 1976, daughter Sina in 1980. Today the family also has five grandchildren between the ages of ten and 19. In 1976 Szabo decided to start his own business. This was done together with his wife, who was a tax clerk, and his brother Johann. His car workshop was first in Vaitsgasse, then in Mühlenstraße near today’s municipal works. In October 1990 they moved to the new building in Jungsenheid.

Szabo has been a member of the motor vehicle guild since 1978, he has been deputy master of the guild since 1995 and chief master of the motor vehicle guild of the Main-Tauber district since 1998. He still holds this office. In 2016 he officially retired from his company. “But I’m still in the company, I’m needed,” he said. He has also been a district master craftsman since 2005. From 1989 to 1999 he was a member of the Wertheim municipal council, first for the SPD and then for the Free Citizens.

Since 1989 there has been a partnership between Szentendre and since 1992 also with Czobanka in Hungary. Szabo has been committed to this partnership from the very beginning. Many people from Czobanka would have lived in Jungsteheid, he explained. His main tasks in the partnership are the maintenance of contacts and the linguistic connection. »We often visited there.« Even today, he still travels to his old home two or three times a year.

“Partnership means getting to know different cultures and learning from one another,” he emphasized. This exchange is important. In 2020, Michael Szabo was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his many and varied voluntary commitments. “That was very surprising for me.” He has been a member of SV Wertheim since 1957 and was also an active soccer player for many years: “Up to the first amateur league.”

Professional training is also important to him. Since 1977 he has had at least one or two trainees every year. Since 1982 he has been a member of the examination board and since 1998 he has been chairman of the examination board of the motor vehicle guild. “This year for the last time.”

In his free time, he likes to devote himself to his inherited vineyard in the Kaffelstein, takes vacation trips in a mobile home, especially to the Baltic Sea, and goes on bike tours. He also enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. Szabo now lives in Eichel with his wife. Celebrate with the family. There will also be a small reception by the district craftsmen’s association.

bdg

Always stay up to date

Click on the topics you want to be informed about. If there is any news, you will receive a notification on the start page. On request also by e-mail.

To your topic overview