LEO CARVALHO
Carvalho
Our community lost a beloved and well-known member with the passing on April 22, 2024 of Leo Carvalho (87), who lived out his dreams of becoming an American and inspiring young people to learn other languages and cultures in the pursuit of a more connected and caring world.
Leo is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Carvalho and daughters Marcia Carvalho, Jackie Carvalho, Yvette Williams and husband Tony Williams. He is preceded in death by his son Marcus Carvalho and grandson Chris Jones. Grandchildren: Spencer Shearhart, Chelsea Hayes, Alex Mitchell, Bailey Weskamp, Kelsey Waun, Sean Jones, Cameron Mitchell. Step-grandchildren Michael Williams, Matthew Williams, Laura Williams, Elliott Williams and Seth Babcock. Great-grandchildren: Raegan Waun and Henry Weskamp. Step-great grandchildren Jordan Williams, Brady Williams, Kayleigh Williams, Ella Williams, Marcus Williams. Sisters: Flavia Carvalho and Elianora Carvalho.
Leo was born on August, 26, 1936 in Fortaleza, Brazil to Euvaldo Livino de Carvalho and Maria Jose Carvalho. At 19, Leo moved from Rio de Janeiro to the US in 1956 for school after being awarded a scholarship to the Highland Community College in Highland, KS. Leo transferred to Washburn University in Topeka, where he met and married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Kelly, in 1958. Leo graduated from Washburn in 1962 and earned a master’s degree in French in 1966 at Emporia State University. Leo studied abroad in Mexico and France. Leo was a Spanish and French instructor at schools in Council Grove and at Independence Community College, where he taught for 35 years. Leo published four Spanish language textbooks that were used at ICC and other schools.
Beginning in 1964, Leo was a recipient of seven educational grants provided by the U.S. government through the National Defense Education Act, first enacted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. The grants provided funding to improve American schools and to promote post-secondary education and allowed Leo to travel aboard and study languages to the benefit of students he would teach in the U.S. Leo traveled extensively throughout South America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Leo and Ruth led multiple community groups on trips around the world.
Leo was honored as an Outstanding Educator of America in 1974/1975. He served as a member of the Foreign Language Advisory Council from 1983-1985 and as a consultant to Bilingual Education in Kansas. Leo was honored in 1990 by the University of Kansas College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with the Community College Teacher Recognition Award, after being selected by University of Kansas honors students for recognition as an outstanding teacher and mentor of community college students. Leo was a member of the Kansas State Civil Service Board in Topeka. Leo served as Chair of Humanities at ICC. Leo was honored as Professor Emeritus by ICC faculty.
Leo loved people, who seemed drawn to him, young and old, for his kindness, charisma and gentle, fun-loving spirit. Leo loved helping others. He loved his family and spending time with them. He was known as “Papa” to his family. Leo was proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed talking with them, hearing details of their lives and sharing wisdom with them. Leo was a life-long learner, always reading and writing new words or phrases in multiple languages that he wanted to remember. He was fluent in French, Spanish, Portuguese and English. Leo loved all people and different cultures. He loved traveling. As a child growing up in Brazil, he dreamed of moving to the US and becoming an American; he became a citizen on August 15, 1962. Leo was curious about, had passion for, and loved talking about a wide variety of topics. He loved music and enjoyed dancing. He appreciated good food and art, having painted several paintings himself. He loved literature and was an avid reader. He marveled at the natural world and the universe. Leo was a sports enthusiast and always cheered for the Brazilian soccer team. He enjoyed watching good boxing matches. He loved sailing and once owned a sailboat. Leo enjoyed all types of cars.
His family knows that Leo was not only theirs, but he belonged to the entire community and broader world. Those fortunate enough to have met, known, or loved Leo are saddened by his death and will not soon forget him. To honor Leo and his life – learn, love, view sunsets and the night skies with wonder and be kind to each other.
Visitation will be held at Potts Chapel in Independence on Wednesday, April 24, with the family greeting friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Leo’s life will be held at Potts Chapel on Thursday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m., with burial immediately following at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Independence Community College for the support of students that Leo loved so much.