Anthony Frank Szumilo passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on July 17, 2026. His passing was unexpected, as he had been full of life the day before. He was 63 years old.
Anthony was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to Frank Anthony Szumilo, an economist, and Angela Marie Romanelli. The younger of two children, he grew up alongside his brother Frank, who was five years older. Because the family moved frequently, Anthony attended school in several Pennsylvania towns as well as in Alexandria and Fairfax, Virginia.
From a very young age, Anthony displayed an extraordinary curiosity about the world. Astronomy captured his imagination early and became a lifelong passion. He was a gifted mathematician who devoured science books far beyond his grade level. He also pursued interests that reflected his wide‑ranging mind and talents, becoming an avid chess player and learning to play the flute.
Anthony graduated from Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia, in 1981. He went on to earn dual bachelor’s degrees in physics and astronomy from the University of Arizona in 1985. He later obtained his doctorate in physics from the University of Washington, conducting research at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, and graduated in 1995. It was during his time at Stanford that he met his future wife, Angelika.
After completing his Ph.D., Anthony spent a year in Seattle working as a software developer before returning to the Bay Area, where he continued writing software at Sybase, OpenWave, and Melior. His brilliant mind and exceptional analytical abilities allowed him to become a member of Mensa.
Anthony and Angelika married in 1999 and settled in Albany, California, where they welcomed two children, Alex and Lukas. When Lukas was diagnosed with special needs, Anthony made the profound decision to step away from his career and devote himself fully to raising his autistic son. His dedication, patience, and love shaped Lukas’s life in immeasurable ways.
Anthony was deeply engaged in his community. He volunteered at school, was active in his homeowners association and served as president of the Berkeley Table Tennis Club, where his enthusiasm and leadership were appreciated by many.
A scientist at heart, Anthony had a rare gift for teaching. He could explain the most complex ideas to anyone – children, college students, or curious adults – with clarity, humor, and joy. He was a people person who connected with others easily, and he was loved by all who knew him. He kept in touch with friends from every phase of his life, reaching back to middle school and high school, and remained close to family on both the Szumilo and Romanelli sides, as well as to Angelika’s friends and family. Anthony lifted others up, never tore them down, and brought intelligence, wit, and kindness into every interaction.
He will be remembered for his tremendous intellect, his sense of humor, and above all, his profound kindness.
Anthony will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for all the love and support they have received during this difficult time.
A memorial service will be held on August 1 at 11:00 AM PST (2:00 PM EST, 20 Uhr German time) at Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, California.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Exploratorium in San Francisco, a place that reflects Anthony’s lifelong love of science, curiosity, and learning.