Inspiring Spiders Tickle My Fancy
The Fourth Annual Bert Szabo Legacy Address
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Speaker:
Patricia Rydquist Date: May 20, 2026 at 7pm Location: Coventry Oaks, Firestone Metro Park 40 Axline Ave, Akron OH 44319 |
Pat doing her imitation of a deer at Kinderrealm in 2012
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Biography:
Pat Rydquist was an Interpretive Naturalist with Summit Metro Parks (SMP) for 20 years. While there she shared her passion for birding, butterflies, moths, and encouraging preschoolers to love all things in nature. Her favorite mentor was Bert Szabo who she got to know through SMP, but also danced with him at the National Association for Interpretation’s Conferences. Pat would go on walks with Bert. He shared the trees he planted like the variety at Goodyear Heights Metro Park, the amazing birding at Firestone Metro Park, and the cultural significance of Deep Lock Quarry. That’s where Pat fell in love with history and the hobos. She was also president of the Hudson Land Conservancy and helped merge it into the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
After retiring from SMP, Pat continues inspiring her preschooler grandchildren who are budding naturalists. She is presently a Board member of the Hudson Heritage Association, a board member of the Hudson Garden Club and was recently invited to join the City of Hudson Environmental Awareness Committee.
Pat Rydquist was an Interpretive Naturalist with Summit Metro Parks (SMP) for 20 years. While there she shared her passion for birding, butterflies, moths, and encouraging preschoolers to love all things in nature. Her favorite mentor was Bert Szabo who she got to know through SMP, but also danced with him at the National Association for Interpretation’s Conferences. Pat would go on walks with Bert. He shared the trees he planted like the variety at Goodyear Heights Metro Park, the amazing birding at Firestone Metro Park, and the cultural significance of Deep Lock Quarry. That’s where Pat fell in love with history and the hobos. She was also president of the Hudson Land Conservancy and helped merge it into the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
After retiring from SMP, Pat continues inspiring her preschooler grandchildren who are budding naturalists. She is presently a Board member of the Hudson Heritage Association, a board member of the Hudson Garden Club and was recently invited to join the City of Hudson Environmental Awareness Committee.
Topic:
Pat's new passion is arachnids, maybe because they don’t fly away or maybe because they are so intricately vital in our ecosystem! To dig deeper into the web of spiders she attended an Ohio Sea Grant Conference on Gibraltar Island in Lake Erie last summer with Dr. Rich Bradley, author and renowned spider specialist at the Ohio State University. Pat will share the life and value of spiders in the hopes others will appreciate their beauty and worth.
Pat's new passion is arachnids, maybe because they don’t fly away or maybe because they are so intricately vital in our ecosystem! To dig deeper into the web of spiders she attended an Ohio Sea Grant Conference on Gibraltar Island in Lake Erie last summer with Dr. Rich Bradley, author and renowned spider specialist at the Ohio State University. Pat will share the life and value of spiders in the hopes others will appreciate their beauty and worth.
Bert Szabo and His Legacy
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Bert was appointed the first chief naturalist at the Akron Metropolitan Park District, precursor to Summit Metro Parks, in 1963. He helped get the first Fall Hiking Spree started in 1964 and connected people to the parks for over 30 years, as a naturalist and as an engaged volunteer. He was instrumental in getting the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area (later designated as a National Park in 2000) established in 1974. He served on the boards of numerous conservation organizations and had a natural curiosity and fascination with nature.
An avid birder, he served for over 20 years as Christmas Bird Count compiler for Greater Akron Audubon Society. He ended his career in 1991, with the following statement in Green Islands Newsletter (now Magazine): |
Bertalan Louis Szabo 1920 – 2022
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“The pollution of our planet, the loss of forests, plants and animals must be our major concern. They are biological time clocks ticking off the time when man may no longer persevere. We cannot separate natural history from human history -- each is dependent upon the other. Protecting our environment is essential for the health and welfare of future generations. It is my hope that I have contributed somewhat to this endeavor.”