Pedro Gundel Krompecher

Pedro Gundel Krompecher born April 20, 1945, passed away on July 20th, 2021 with family and friends by his side. Pedro was born to Erszbet Krompecher and Laszlo Krompecher in a refugee camp during the final days of World War II while fleeing the Soviet invasion of Hungary. While still a baby, Pedro’s family moved to Caracas, Venezuela where he lived through high school. He followed his two older brothers to Ohio State University where he was able to eventually graduate (to the relief of the administration and instructors) through hard work, determination, and sheer will (Not necessarily in that order). While in college, he learned as much outside the classroom as he did on campus—whether that knowledge was acquired at Woodstock, working as a waiter at the Knights Inn, or putting his studies “on hold” to drive from Ohio to Venezuela—he drank life in with huge gulps. After graduating from Ohio State, Pedro started his own construction business while providing love and devotion to his wife Milagros and their sons Pedro and Pablo.

Pedro was a person who enjoyed life to its fullest, pushing against the boundaries of fun.  He always had time to meet a new person, indulge in their lives and help in any way possible, while also inviting you into his life. He was kind, hilarious and generous with his time and knowledge. His devotion to people, to anyone, often took a back seat to his punctuality, but that was a part of the deal. His opinions on everything flowed freely and without filter which inevitably created endless discussions about, well, everything.

Pedro served as a surrogate father to his niece and nephews, driving across Ohio to watch wrestling matches, providing summer jobs and just being present to fill a void with love, time and affection. Whether drinking wine in his great-grandfather’s world famous Gundel restaurant in Budapest or gulping Old Milwaukee at a bar in Appalachia, Pedro was comfortable holding court with anyone and anywhere and would dispense lessons in Hungarian, Spanish and English, lessons that just made life more enjoyable. He was a trophy dad, husband and uncle to many. After meeting him once, you couldn’t wait to see him again. His large personality was only dwarfed by his generous heart.

Pedro never complained, not even when fighting cancer or facing any adversity—he lived life with aplomb and gave generously of the most important thing people have—time. Over the years he offered his services to help immigrants, the poor and those who needed an extra buck--almost always in silence except for his booming voice which not only filled the lives of the people who loved him but will continue to ring for years to come. His wife and kids were the apple of his eye. He never missed a soccer game or a tennis match. He was far from perfect but he tried perfectly to be the best friend he could be to everyone.

Pedro is preceded in death by Laszlo Krompecher (father), Erezbet Gundel Krompecher (mother), Milagros Nueman (wife) and survived by sons Pedro Krompecher and wife, Dare and Pablo Krompecher and wife, Katie, his grandchildren Riley, Elizabth, Field and Ford, brothers Pablo Koe-Krompecher and Laszlo Krompecher and many nieces and nephews. To know Pedro was to taste life at its fullest, unvarnished and hilarious. He will be missed greatly. In lieu of flowers, please consider bringing a smile to a stranger, give someone a hand up who needs it, and remember that life is too short to take yourself too seriously and live voraciously, because you can't take anything with you aside from the memories you make.

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