Imre Tamas

Imre A. Tamas, 80, of Ithaca, NY, passed away on August 9th, 2013 at Cayuga Medical Center. He was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1933, a son of Viktor and Anna (Csagoly) Tamas. He attended Keszthely School, where his father was Headmaster. During World War II, the family moved to Badacsony, and he was then schooled at home by his father through high school and later graduated from the School of Plant Science at the University of Budapest.
During the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, Imre and three of his brothers were able to escape Soviet occupied Hungary. He then emigrated to the U.S., where he continued his education, receiving a Master's at Cornell University and his Doctorate at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. He began teaching Plant Physiology at Ithaca College in 1969, where he remained until his retirement.
Having received tenure, he became a full professor and upon retirement received the honor of being named professor emeritus. He continued doing research work with colleagues at Cornell up until the time of his death. His greatest professional joy came from involving undergraduate students in plant growth research, many of his students going on to receive advanced degrees. He was an officer in Phi Kappa Phi while he was a professor. Imre enjoyed classical music, and loved reading and discussing world history and politics.

In 1959, Imre married Sarolta Faltay and had three children and later, in 1971, he married Mary Jay Miller, and had one son. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Viktor and Endre, and sisters Magda and Anna. He is survived by his brothers Ferenc (Marika), Pal, Tamas (Maria), and Istvan, and his sisters Marta and Maria. He is also survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Jay, and his first wife, Sarolta. He is survived by his daughters Sarolta DeFaltay, Reka Wells (James), and his sons Hunor Tamas and Jay Tamas, and grandchildren Max Jacobson, Davina Wells, Kendra Wells, Dylan Wells, and Roman Tamas. He also is survived by his beloved dogs, Lucy and Jake.

Calling hours will be at 12PM on Wednesday, August 14th, at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca, with services at 1PM. Graveside services will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Ithaca, NY. Donations can be made in Imre's name to the Jack and Flo Bernard Scholarship fund for biology majors at Ithaca College (607-274-3011), the Tompkins County SPCA (607-257-1822), or to the charity of one's choice.

The family appreciates the wonderful care and concern given Imre by his oncologists Drs. Charles Garbo, Timothy Bael, and Julie Campbell, Dr. Edward O'Brien, Dr. Judson Kilgore, and the truly caring nurses and staff at Cayuga Medical Center.