Gabor Temesvari began his tenure at Deerfield in the fall of 1969, but his story begins long before that, in Budapest, Hungary, where he was born. After growing up all over the world in Budapest, Bavaria, and Iowa, Mr. Temesvari studied as an undergraduate at Miami University in Ohio.
Only after studying at graduate school in St. Louis did he come to Deerfield, Massachusetts. But it is clear that his experience in America, and earlier in Eastern Europe, shaped his life tremendously.
Through learning Hungarian, German, and, finally, English, Mr. Temesvari “saw the value of language,” leading him to become a teacher of both French and Spanish. Reflecting on his experience, Mr. Temesvari admitted that while he had “a lot of fond memories,” it was for an immigrant a “sink or swim” atmosphere.
With a background in language, Mr. Temesvari first thought that working as an interpreter at the U.N. would be an ideal job; however, to his pleasant surprise, when he arrived at Deerfield, he immediately “loved the school and students.”
As a teacher of French and Spanish, as well as a tennis coach and, much later, a devotee to the community service program, he quickly began contributing to the community.
During his residence in Chapin (now Bewkes House), he became intrigued by the house’s history and began to research it. The photos and articles displayed in the building are products of Mr. Temesvari’s research.
Mr. Temesvari also brings a certain spark to the Deerfield community with his interest in and knowledge of the Titanic. He often supplements his classes with exciting stories and reports, and his most recent display of knowledge came in the form of a school meeting presentation and Titanic-themed dinner which played homage to the 97th anniversary of the ship’s sinking.
Throughout his years here at Deerfield, one lasting relationship that he established was with Headmaster Frank Boyden and his wife, Helen. He became very close with Mrs. Boyden, who he noted,“certainly had an influence on [his] teaching.” Her “great wit and humor” remain with him to this day.
Since the Boyden Years, Mr. Temesvari has seen many changes on campus, including the return to coeducation. Mr. Temesvari leaves the school feeling that it is headed in the right direction. He praised the curriculum, as well as community service program and the international student body. He proudly proclaimed that he “truly think[s] this is best school in the country.”
Other Retiring Faculty: