Oleg Ivanovich Kovalenko

Oleg Ivanovich Kovalenko, 88, passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2025 surrounded by his family. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Oleg immigrated to this country with his parents in 1948 and became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1955. His family settled on the Monterey Peninsula where Oleg attended both Pacific Grove and Monterey High Schools, ultimately graduating from Berkeley High School in 1954 during a brief period when his family lived in the Bay Area. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1958 and a Master of Arts in Music from Stanford University in 1960.

Oleg was an accomplished violinist and had a distinguished career as an orchestral conductor, holding posts with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Green Bay Symphony, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In 1977 he returned to Monterey to be closer to his mother and focused his career on guest conducting. Engagements included appearances in St. Petersburg, Buenos Aires, and Prague, as well as with numerous orchestras in the United States. He appeared as guest conductor with the Monterey County and the Santa Cruz Symphonies in 1985 and founded a music festival, Mozart in Monterey, in 1986.

Oleg loved the Monterey Peninsula and was a longtime member of the Monterey Kiwanis Club. He appreciated California’s natural beauty and especially enjoyed spending time at Point Lobos and Yosemite National Park. He was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman and frequently trolled for salmon in Monterey Bay. Other adventures included climbing Half Dome and Mount Dana with his family and numerous camping trips in California and the Pacific Northwest.

Oleg had a zest for travel and experiencing new cultures. One of his most memorable adventures was a three-month journey across Europe in 1984 with his daughter, exploring the continent in a VW camper van.

A passionate and inquisitive thinker, Oleg found joy in the richness of music, art, history and philosophy. He brought thoughtfulness and depth to every exchange and was known for his gracious nature and interest in others.

He had numerous hobbies including fine woodworking and photography. Never one to relax, he spent many happy hours in his workshop building cabinetry, furniture, and decorative items. He also enjoyed working in his home dark room, always striving to develop the perfect shot. Each photo he took and each piece of furniture he built reflected his patience, eye for beauty, and devotion to craftsmanship.

Oleg is survived by his daughter, Stephanie (Jon), and his grandchildren Sophie and Christian. He was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Olga Kovalenko.

A service will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM at the City Cemetery of Monterey, Cementerio El Encinal, 798 Fremont St, Monterey, CA 93940 followed by a gathering at his home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Oleg’s name to Youth Music Monterey County at www.youthmusicmonterey.org