BIELEN, CASIMIR (10 Feb. 1925-2 Sept. 1992), educator and clean-air activist, participated in more than 80 organizations, including nationality groups and political and educational organizations. The NATIONALITIES SERVICES CENTER recognized Bielen's fundraising efforts in 1977. Bielen was born in Cleveland's SLAVIC VILLAGE to Martin and Josephine (Schotka) Bielen. He attended South High School and Denver University, and, after a stint in the U.S. Air Force during WORLD WAR II (1943-46), graduated in 1951 from the Cleveland College of Western Reserve University (later CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY). He later received a master's degree from Kent State University (1964). On 9 June 1951, Bielen married Valera P. Japel.
Bielen worked as an elementary and a junior high school principal in GARFIELD HEIGHTS and as executive assistant to the state auditor. On the board of the Polonia Foundation, he also served as spokesperson for the COSMOPOLITAN DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY, the Polish American Congress, and the Cleveland Society of POLES. He worked for the CLEVELAND CULTURAL GARDENS FEDERATION, coordinated ethnic affairs for the MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF DENNIS J. KUCINICH, and was secretary of both the Southeast Air Pollution Committee (1950-56) and the Air Pollution Committee of the Southeast Community Council (1956-59). In 1959 he was made executive secretary of the Ohio Pure Air Association, located in Cleveland. Bielen donated $5000 in 1980 to the family of his deceased friend, Olympian STELLA WALSH, to help clear her name after media reports questioned her gender.
