William Paul "Bill" Sabo

Aug 6, 1946 -

Apr 27, 2024

Retired University of Alaska Anchorage art professor Bill Sabo, 77, died on April 27, 2024, in Tulare, Calif.

Bill was born on Aug. 6, 1946, to Alex and Betty (Varga) Sabo in Perth Amboy, N.J. He called many places home over the years, but his most significant works of art, family and mischief were created during his time in Alaska, from the 1970s to the early 2000s. A gregarious and goofy spirit, his life was full of creating, experiencing and teaching art, but he always said his favorite job of all was being a dad. He was a dad who built boats, models, cakes, potato cannons, a very wonky tandem bicycle and magic talismans. He always drove for school field trips and would say, "Oh no, we're lost!" when he detoured on the way home to get everyone milkshakes.

Bill once ran for Lt. Governor of Alaska because he knew all candidates got to be interviewed on TV. He brought props with him to the interview and hoped it felt like an SNL sketch, waving cheerleading pompoms for arts and education. He and his rubber chicken received several thousand votes. He fell asleep in every movie yet somehow stayed awake through the entire Cremaster Cycle at the Guggenheim. He loved cooking and sharing food, especially Alaska seafood or specialties from his Hungarian heritage, but would bring a moose nugget pie to a bake off for laughs. He cherished connections with his extended family and also called anyone with a Hungarian name "cousin." All his relatives witnessed that he embodied the loving kindness and compassion for which his mother was known.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Robert, with whom he is certainly eating hamburgers in the afterlife. He is survived by his children, Agnes (husband Brady), Alex (wife Gloria) and Marcel (wife Alejandra); and four grandchildren.

Services and celebrations TBA. We could pick one place, but you know he'd want a world tour.