SHIMEK, Bohumil, Prof. 1861-1937

SHIMEK, KONVALINKA, HANZLIK, KREPELKA

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 2/25/2011 at 14:07:39

Professor Bohumil Shimek 1861-1937

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PROF. SHIMEK, 75, SUCCUMBS AT IOWA CITY

Iowa City – Prof. Bohumil Shimek, 78, nationally known botanist died at his home here shortly at 1 o’clock Saturday morning. His death was attributed to heart complications and influenza.

Professor Shimek, who had been connected with the University of Iowa for 48 years, had become widely known for his work in taxidermie botany.

Shimek was born in Shueyville City, near Iowa City, June 25, 1861.

Survivors include his widow; five children; four daughters; Ella Shimek of Iowa City; Mrs. P. J. Hanzlik, San Mateo, California; Mrs. M. O. Hanzlik of Cedar Rapids; and Mrs. George Krepelka of Osage; and one son, Frank J. Shimek of Kingston, New York, and five grandchildren.

FOREMOST ECOLOGIST

Considered generally as America’s foremost plant ecologist, Bohumil Shimek was almost equally at home in the field of zoology, geology and engineering. His method of focusing the data of more than one science won for him, perhaps, special distinction in plant geography and in the geological interpretation of the conspicuous loess formations of Iowa.

Professor Shimek was the highest authority in America on problems of prairies and similar treeless areas. His theory as to the cause of this condition has now been generally accepted throughout the world.

WORKER FOR PEOPLE

By birth a Bohemian, Mr. Shimek was always an ardent worker for his people and served for nearly a quarter of a century as national president of the council of higher education which makes loans to students of Bohemian descent. During this period he aided several hundred students, through the council, in selecting schools and courses of study.

In his college days Professor Shimek studied engineering and after receiving a degree in this course helped organize the first engineering society in Iowa in 1883. He drew up the constitution for the organization and served as its first secretary.

Professor Shimek’s first wife, Anna Konvalinka, who died several years ago, was a sister of Joe Konvalinka, 118 ½ North Federal Avenue. The Konvalinka family lived at Iowa City at the time.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, Saturday January 30, 1937]
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NOTES:

He was buried in the Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa.

His daughters Ella and Vlasta are buried in the Osage Cemetery:

Ella Shimek (death/burial) September 8, 1971.

Vlasta Krepelka (death/burial) January 11, 1980.