Former Nevada schools superintendent Eugene 'Gene' Paslov dies at age 80
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 10:29am
Former Nevada State Superintendent of Schools Eugene "Gene" Paslov died Sunday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 80.
Paslov was married to wife Susan and the couple have three children. He died peacefully at Renown Medical Center in Reno. Services will be held Saturday, 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Carson City.
He was born Dec. 5, 1933 in New York City, New York. At 18, he enlisted in the Air Force, served in the Korean war, attended El Camino Community College and Long Beach State and was among the first wave of Peace Corps volunteers, joining in 1963. He spent two years in the Middle East teaching English as a foreign language and as a co-director of an English language preparatory school, Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.
While in Peace Corps training in Washington, D.C., Eugene met his wife, Susan Paslov (née Garlick). They married in 1964 while both were stationed in Turkey. He later received his doctorate from Columbia Teachers College in 1972.
Paslov dedicated his life to transforming children’s lives through education. This passion guided him through positions as a high school teacher, Michigan Assistant Superintendent for Schools, Nevada State Superintendent of Schools, and later as President of Harcourt Educational Publishing.
For nine years Dr. Paslov was Nevada Department of Education's State Superintendent of Schools from 1985 to 1994.
Although Gene officially retired in 1994, he was tireless. He continued to work as an education consultant, wrote his memoir and weekly columns for the Nevada Appeal, served on numerous advisory boards, volunteered for the Democratic Party, and most recently, spearheaded the effort to start a charter high school in Carson City, the Nevada Performance Academy.
He leaves behind an incredible legacy on behalf of educators and students in Nevada and across the country. Gene was a self-made man, a champion of the little guy, and a model of a life well lived. He was an avid pilot, a history buff, and a news junkie. He continually inspired others through his kindness, curiosity, and generosity.
Gene is preceded in death by parents, Eugene and Eileen Paslov. Survivors include his wife, Susan Paslov; siblings: Joan Buffandeau, Harriet Cox (Terry), Anna Adamson, and Joseph Paslov (Linda); children, Joseph Paslov and wife Kyla Schuman, Jonathan Paslov and wife Stephanie Zerwas, Marji Paslov-Thomas and husband Keith Thomas; grandchildren, Dylan Paslov, Aidan Thomas, Trey Thomas, Benjamin Paslov, Adeline Paslov, Alexander Paslov and Elodie Paslov.
"We are devastated by his passing. His love for and pride in his family will rest in our hearts forever," according to the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the First United Methodist Church of Carson City. Condolences may be offered at a Celebration of Life to be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday June 14, at the First United Methodist Church of Carson City, 212 N Division St, Carson City.
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