Theodore Zoltan Ambrus OBITUARY
Theodore Zoltan Ambrus OBITUARY
Theodore Zoltan Ambrus passed away peacefully on January 6th at his home in Marina. He was 93 years old.
Theodore (Ted) grew up in Los Angeles in a Hungarian-American family and was an avid car racer and surfer in his youth. After high school, he joined the Army and fought in the Korean War and two tours in the Vietnam War. While stationed in Germany, he met the love of his life, Ingrid Neuse. They married and had a loving marriage for 62 years. They had 2 sons, Neil and Alain.
He earned the rank of Major and received the Bronze Star and other commendations in his military career. After his 25-year career in the Army, he worked in various sales positions until he retired. His last position was with the Monterey Herald, where he sold advertising space to local companies.
Ted was a very friendly, intelligent, adventurous, and competitive person who loved to travel, fish, restore vintage cars, watch sports, and play cribbage. He could be spotted at the Marina Village Restaurant multiple times a week playing cribbage with his friends. Ted was very good at math, which made him a formidable opponent at games such as cribbage, poker, and Scrabble. Ted loved to drive to Pine Flat Lake and Los Banos Reservoir and fish for a few days when he had the time. To relax, Ted liked to watch sports on TV, such as NFL football and Formula 1 auto racing, watch the TV Soaps with his wife, and sit outside and catch some rays when it was sunny and warm. He was very tough and resilient. He survived 2 wars and 3 cancer treatment regimens during his life.
Ted is survived by his wife Ingrid, sons Neil and Alain, and his granddaughter Isabella. He also has a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers George and Edwin Ambrus and sisters Cornelia Kovach, Viola Newton and Aurora Justine.
A service honoring Ted’s life will take place at 10 AM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero in Monterey. His ashes will be interred at the columbarium at California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery at 2 PM on February 10, 2026. A Celebration of Life reception will be held afterward at the Bayonet Blackhorse Golf Course, 1 McClure Way in Seaside, from 2:30-4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a favorite charity in his name.