Dr Tamás Szent-Iványi was born in Szentivánlaborfalva, Háromszék County on 2 November, 1920 and passed away in Budapest in 1991. Having graduated from Kolozsvár’s Agricultural Academy, he attained his veterinarian degree at our university in 1946. After graduation, he worked at the University’s Animal Husbandry Department, at Dr László Benedek’s Institute for Serum Production and Phylaxia State Institute for Vaccine Production. Invited by Professor Rezső Manninger, he joined the Department of Infectious Diseases in 1950, where he worked as an associate professor, senior research fellow and a full professor until his retirement in 1985. He was the head of the department from 1976 to 1985. The Hungarian Academy of Sciences admitted him as a corresponding member in 1973 and a full member in 1979. Working as the deputy head of the animal health department of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, he was a special advisor on infectious diseases. His extensive international experience was greatly utilized in education later on. His research covered a wide array of bacterial and viral diseases.

The Hungarian veterinary community cherishes the memory of Dr Tamás Szent-Iványi. His former students remember him as the outstanding, well-prepared and demanding professor, his fellow practising veterinarians recall the helpful diagnostics expert and the regular presenter of regional further education seminars, the younger generations note the creative textbook author while his colleagues remember the accurate researcher, the straightforward co-worker and head of department. His well-structured lectures were characterized by his deep professional knowledge and personal experience as well as his insight into human sciences, literature, history, geography, ethnography and music. Dr Tamás Szent-Iványi was a role model for his human values as well. Enduring the trials and tribulations of historic times, he overcame all difficulties by a constant expansion of his knowledge, lifelong learning and intensive work. He demonstrated that the only life worth living is through honest respect for universal human values. Despite his outstanding knowledge and wide recognition both in Hungary and abroad, he always remained humble and approachable.