Val was born Valentine Balint Mariahegyi on September 14, 1926 in Budapest, Hungary, son of a Hungarian Knight, Balint Mariahegyi, and his wife, Maria (Heray). He married Ruby P. Fulop on August 9, 1947 in Budapest. She preceded him in death on October 22, 1988 in Peoria.
Val earned his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Electrical Engineering from Technical University of Budapest. He was an associate professor, teaching manufacturing sciences and engineering from 1950 to 1954 at the Institute of Technology in Budapest. He also served as a lieutenant in the Hungarian Military Academy in 1954. From 1954 to 1956, Val was the Manager of Engineering and Plant Operations at the Ministry of Building and Construction in Budapest.
From 1957 to 1966, Val served as the Supervisor of General Engineering for Canadian British Aluminum in Baie Comeau, Quebec, Canada.
In 1966, Val fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved his family to the United States. He served as a Plant Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc. at their corporate headquarters in Peoria, retiring on June 1, 1997.
While employed with Caterpillar, Val presented several seminars and published many technical documents. He was a member of numerous associations and committees, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Institute of Plant Engineers and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers.
Val was named Plant Engineer of the Year Chapter Award for 1976/77 by the American Institute of Plant Engineers and Plant Engineer of the Year Regional-Midwest Award for 1977/78 by the American Institute of Plant Engineers.
Of all of his accomplishments, he was proudest when he received his U.S. Citizenship in September of 1971 and thus solidifying his love of freedom.
Val was formerly active and had served as a president of the American Hungarian Society of Peoria. He was also a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria and was formerly active in their Dart Ball League.
