Dénes Dienes: History of the Reformed Church Collég in Sárospatak (Sárospatak, 2013)
APPENDIX - The Teachers of the Sárospatak Reformed Church College
Hernád Kiadó Robert Halmi Sr. - Main Sponsor (Budapest, Hungary 22/1/1924) Robert Halmi Sr. graduated from the Reformed Church College in Sárospatak in 1942 and from'the University of Budapest in 1946. Having joined the Hungarian Resistance in 1944 to fight the Nazis in his-native land, he was captured and sentenced to death. He was liberated and after the war he became an agent for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), in the battle against Communist oppression. These activities eventually led to another arrest and death sentence. He was smuggled out of prison and into Austria. Robert. Halmi Sr. went to the United States in 1950 where he became a leading writer-photographer for Life magazine from 1952 to 1962, specializing in exotic locales and dangerous assignments. Halmi also spent three years driving race cars semi-profes- sionally, flew balloons professionally, climbed various mountains and generally wandered the globe looking for adventure. He also established himself as an author, publishing eleven books. In 1962, Halmi began producing documentaries, specializing in outdoor subjects. Robert Halmi Sr. and son Robert Jr. have produced more than two hundred made-for-TV moves and mini-series. Their productions have won one hundred four Emmy Awards. Robert Halmi Sr. is an active supporter of his alma mater, having donated thousands of books and provided other material assistance. “Much of my success I owe to the College in Sárospatak. It was here that I was taught how to read and was introduced to the wonderful books which later served as the underpinnings of my work.When I arrived in America ! was armed with all the knowledge I needed in order to make a contribution to any subject which surfaced - keeping me one step ahead of the competition. So I wish to express my thanks to the school, to my friends, and everyone involved. The years I spent at the school were the best years of my life.”
