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Neal F. Simeon, Educator
Neal Ferdinand Simeon, teacher, administrator and specialist in Vocational Education, was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 30, 1916. He graduated from Doolittle Elementary School and went on to graduate from Wendell Phillips High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT where he was elected to Pi Tau Sigma, an honorary Mechanical Engineering fraternity. He received his Masters in Education from Northwestern University.Following graduation, he briefly played semi-pro football and worked in the machine industry as an engineer and machine tool designer. He also became a licensed pilot, obtaining his ground instructor’s license. For a time, he taught aviation mechanics at the Tuskegee Institute. He served in the Navy during World War II. While in the Navy, he was a golden gloves boxer.
His career as an educator began when he became a teacher at Wendell Phillips Evening High School. A short time later, he became a full time machine shop teacher at Dunbar Vocational High School where he successively served as Administrator, Placement Counselor, Assistant Principal, and as Director of Special Projects in Vocational Education. In June 1962, he was appointed to the position of Director of Vocational Education for Boys.
In 1962, Neal F. Simeon was called upon by President Kennedy to represent the United States at the International Trade Fair in Lagos, Nigeria. He was given a special leave of absence to supervise the educational and training aspects of the United States Exhibit of New Tools, New Skills, and New Markets.
Mr. Simeon’s interest in the vocational training of Chicago’s youth was evident to all who observed his tireless devotion to his work. He was vitally concerned with the special problems in the area of vocational education. He was eminently qualified to assume the directorship of such a dynamic program of preparing the city’s youth for the forthcoming manpower requirements of our changing economy. The young people of Chicago lost a good friend when Neal F. Simeon died in August of 1963. (Information gathered from the Simeon Career Academy archives and daughter Sharon A. Simeon)
Senator Paul Simon, Sharon A. Simeon, Helen Penn Simeon
with Portrait given to Simeon High School by Mrs. Simeon
Mr. Neal F Simeon, Sharon Simeon and Helen Penn Simeon attending a Tea
