SZASZ

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Louis Szasz of Bentley, Alberta.  Bob passed away at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the age of 85 years.

Bob was born on August 31, 1940 in Lacombe, Alberta to Louis and Jean Szasz.  He was raised alongside his four sisters Ann, Jean, Charlene, and Marilyn; and attended school in Bentley.  Bob farmed in the area for over 50 years.  He married the love of his life, Marlene Long, on August 7, 1965 in Coronation, Alberta.  They lived south of Bentley on the family farm where they raised their three children Karen, David, and Darren.  Bob’s love for the farm found him spending his life raising purebred Simmental and Hereford cattle, in addition to grain farming.  He even imported two Simmental purebred calves from Berne, Switzerland in 1972.  Bob spent many years mentoring his children in the Blindman Valley South 4H Beef Club.

Bob was an active volunteer serving on several boards, including the Bentley Seed Cleaning Plant for 23 years; with nine of those years spent as the board chairman.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus organization, holding the positions of past Grand Knight, past District Deputy, and was also a member of the State’s Board.  In addition, Bob was a board member of the Bentley Senior Housing Society that manages the Westview Apartments complex, he was a past board member of the Rimbey Co-op Association, and he was a Lacombe County councillor for six years from 2001 until 2007.  He served on several inter-municipal service committees; including the Regional Fire Service, Disaster Services, Regional Solid Waste, Gull Lake Management, the Lacombe Regional Ambulance, and Eckville Emergency Services.  As well, Bob was instrumental in establishing Canada passport offices in Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Grande Prairie, Alberta; along with Cranbrook, B.C.

His family meant the world to Bob, and he loved them deeply.  He was very proud of each and every one of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was often found with his family and friends camping, fishing, playing games, and visiting.  There was never a time when Bob wasn’t playing a trick on someone, and he enjoyed every moment of his life to the fullest.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Marlene; and his children Karen (John) Knight, David (Ronda) Szasz, and Darren (Carrie) Szasz.  He will be greatly missed by his seven grandchildren Danielle (Jayden), Kandace, and Shae-Lynn Knight; Chad (Tasha) Szasz; Brooke (Tyson) Hueppelsheuser; and Aiden and Brielle Szasz; as well as seven precious great-grandchildren, plus two new little ones on the way.  Bob is also survived by his sister Jean (Norman) Kanngiesser; and his brothers-in-law Edgar (Judy) Kanngiesser and Orville Ellsworth.  He was predeceased by his parents; and his sisters Ann Ellsworth, Charlene and her husband Herb Park, and Marilyn Kanngiesser.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 5509 - 50 Street, Rimbey on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverend Father Leon Kler, Celebrant.  Interment will follow in the Bentley Cemetery, Bentley at 2:30 p.m.  If desired, memorial donations in Bob’s memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, c/o the Rimbey Hospital Legacy Committee, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyhospitallegacycommittee.com).  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.    

Service and Burial Arrangements for the Late Robert “Bob” Louis Szasz entrusted to the care of