The European Years: 1894 –1921

Ladislas Segoe, “Laci” to his friends, was born to a Jewish family in Debrecen, Hungary on August 17, 1894. Mobilized while still a student, he entered the military and served for three and a half years as an ordinance officer, or more specifically, a mounted artillery officer, in World War I. Following the completion of his university studies in Budapest in 1919, he was awarded a Diploma in Civil Engineering. However, he was more than technically capable and was an intellectual in every sense.

He was fluent in French and German, as well as English and his native Hungarian, and favored tailor made suits. Vilma Czittler, a young soprano whom he met in Budapest, was fun-loving and creative and brought out that side of his character.4 Throughout their lives, they traveled frequently. Perhaps their upper middle class, middle European education and well to do family backgrounds attracted them to each other. In addition, his membership in the Austro-Hungarian officer corps accounted for his elitist and arrogant streak, and his requirement for perfection in his work. He never lost his accent and always dressed in the tie and jacket that were customary for his class and time in Europe.2, 3