Slovacek, Simeon Peter PhD.
ALTADENA, Calif. - Simeon Peter Slovacek, 74, husband of Camille Diane Slovacek, passed away on March 16, 2024, at their home in Altadena, California of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was born on March 28, 1949, in Bloomington, Indiana. Simeon was the son of the late Rudolf Edward Slovacek and Dolores Jeanne Kovarovic Slovacek.
He grew up in Rexford, New York, was a boy scout in the Alplaus troop and competed on the Glen Hills Club swim team. Simeon played a variety of musical instruments, performed in school bands and played organ for Our Lady of Grace Church in Ballston Lake.
Simeon graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School in Burnt Hills, New York and received his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. Simeon pursued his advanced education at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where obtained a master's degree and a PhD in Educational Research and Evaluation Methodology. He also completed a Post-Doctoral Degree in Economics at Cornell University.
Simeon served as the Director of Institutional Research at Cornell before re-locating to California. He met his wife Camille at the California State University, Los Angeles in 1983 and they married on August 3, 1991. Simeon was an esteemed professor for 39 years. In 2011 Simeon was awarded Cal State L.A.'s Outstanding Professor Award for excellence in teaching and significant achievements in scholarly inquiry and creativity, professional activities, and services to the campus and community.
Simeon served as the Principal Evaluator of the Program Evaluation and Research Collaborative (PERC) office at Cal State L.A. He conducted numerous evaluations, wrote grants and contracts over the years. He was on the California Department of Education's list of approved evaluators for the state's immediate interventions for under-performing-schools program. In addition to evaluation of the Los Angeles Apprentice Teacher Program at the Los Angeles Unified School District, he also evaluated National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded projects such as the Minorities Opportunities in Research (MORE) programs, the Minority Biomedical Research Support – Research Initiatives for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE), and the Cancer Collaborative Program with City of Hope, among others.
Recognized as an expert in school reform, Simeon was knowledgeable about issues related to charter schools, research and evaluation methodology, assessment and testing, statistics, and technology in education. He authored 28 refereed journal publications, five books and book chapters, and wrote almost 100 reports.
Simeon will always be remembered as a champion of charter schools. He served as a founding board of trustee member of 19 start-up charter schools, which served more than 6,000 children. He served on the Accelerated Schools Board and Inner-City Education Foundation Board, and the School of Arts and Enterprise Board.
In addition to his unique perspective, intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving skills, Simeon had a wonderful sense of humor, gift for storytelling and kindness to others. He was an accomplished musician and a passionate collector of art. Simeon engaged in a wide range of interests which fueled his love for life, international teaching, and world-wide travel.
Simeon was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend to many people. He is survived by his wife of almost 33 years, Camille Diane Slovacek; his daughter, Kira Slovacek Hubert and her husband, Ian Hubert; and three grandchildren, Dasha Hubert, Nyah Hubert, and Luke Hubert. Simeon is also survived by his siblings, Rudolf Slovacek and his wife, Patricia, Stephen Slovacek and his wife, Vicki Morris, Cynthia Elia and her husband, Ross, Claudia Slovacek and Celeste Slovacek. He was predeceased by his brother, David Slovacek.
A Celebration of Simeon's Life was held in the Chapel of the Gardens at the Mountain View Mausoleum at 2300 N. Marengo Avenue, Altadena, Calif. 91001, on April 27, 2024. Simeon's interment remembrance will be held at St. Cyril and Method Cemetery, 611 Duanesburg Rd., Rotterdam, N.Y. 12306, on July 12, 2024, at 1 p.m.
In memory of Dr. Simeon Slovacek, gifts may be sent to: The School of Arts + Enterprise by mailing a check to The School of Arts + Enterprise Foundation, 101 W. Mission Blvd. STE 110-402, Pomona, Calif. 91766, Attention: Phil Miller.
Arrangements are being handled by Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, TownleyWheelerFH.com. Condolences and inquires will be handled by the funeral home.