Bogdan Cyril Novak

Bogdan C. Novak Bogdan Novak, University of Toledo Professor Emeritus, died Tuesday, February 1, at Kingston Care Center of Sylvania. His wife and niece, Maria Povsic were at his side. Bogdan was born October 9, 1919 in Ljubljana, Slovenia to Cyril and Slava Novak. He received a diploma in Law from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 1944. In May 1945, when Tito came to power, Bogdan left Yugoslavia for Italy. He received his teaching certificate from Normal school in Gorizia, British-U.S. Zone, Venezia Giulia. He taught elementary and secondary schools from 1947 until 1951. In 1951, he immigrated to the United States, Chicago, Illinois. He went back to school and received his M.A. in history from the Loyola University in Chicago in 1955. After that he taught at St. Augustine School, San Diego, CA from 1956-1957; Indiana University, Gary, IN 1960-1961; and Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL, Spring and Summer, 1961. After receiving his Ph.D. in History from the University of Chicago in 1961, Bogdan joined the University of Toledo faculty in the department of History as an Assistant Professor in 1961. He rose to the rank of Associate Professor in 1965 and to Professor in 1970. He retired in 1989. At his retirement, he was awarded the title Professor Emeritus He has given the University of Toledo 28 years of distinguished service. He taught history courses on Central Europe the Habsburg Empire and its successor states; Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Yugoslavia, Russian political and intellectual history and the Soviet Union. History for Bogdan was not just bread, but love. He was the author of the book Trieste 1941-1954: the Ethnic, Political and Ideological Struggle, published by the University of Chicago Press in 1970. It is the definitive work on this subject. It has been quoted frequently and received national and international acclaim. It was translated into Italian Milano, Mursia in 1973 and a second edition in 1996. The U.S. Military sought the rights to use excerpts of the book in the military schools. Research and numerous publications on three major fields: Trieste question since 1941, Slovene history and the political activities of Slovene Americans Louis Adamic, Fr. Kazimir Zakrajsek Bogdan was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies AAASS, co-founder and member of Society for Slovene Studies SSS, executive council 1973-77, 1986-88, Midwest Slavic Conference, the Conference on Slavic and East European History and The Ohio Academy of History. His biographical references: Directory of American Scholars Vol. 1, History 1982, Zbornik Svobodne Slovenije 1973-75, Primorski Slovenski biografski leksikon 1984, Encyclopedia Slovenije 8 1994 In his retirement, Bogdan compiled Fr Zakrajsek diaries, notes and writings into a book Pater Kazimir Zakrajsek published by Druzina in Ljubljana 2004. Bogdan was preceded in death by his parents and his infant daughter, Barbara Maya in 1966. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Maria Novak, brother, Slavko Novak of Pasadena, CA, niece Tanya Michael Gips of LaCanada, CA; sister-in-law, Angela Bolha of Cleveland, OH; nieces Maria Povsic of Toledo, OH and Anica Ron Chufo of Shaker Heights, OH; nephew, Thomas Lisa Povsic, M.D. of Chapel Hill, N.C., their children Mikael and Maia and many relatives and friends in Slovenia. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 5, 2011 from 9 to 11 am in the Nartex of the Christ the King Church, 4100 Harvest Lane at Sylvania Ave. followed by Mass of the Resurrection at 11 am. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ the King Church or the charity of the donors choice. Funeral arrangements by Walker Funeral Home 419-841-2422. Bogdans wife wishes to extend her gratitude to her niece, Maria Povsic for her help and support during her husbands illness.