Reynaldo Inocente Monzon

Reynaldo (Rey) Inocente Monzon joined his father Leonardo I Monzon, his sister Carol and his brother Lennie in Heaven when he passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Rey is survived by his wife Glenda, who is the love of his life when they both met during their college years and have been together ever since. He is also survived by his son, Michael and daughter Miranda. His mother Barbara A. Monzon and his siblings Ben, Marty, Lisa, Ricky and Leanne.

Rey was born at Sangley Point, attended Binictican Elementary School in Subic Bay, Philippines. As he grew up in San Diego, he attended Annie B Keiller Elementary, Silver Strand Elementary, Southwest Junior High and Montgomery High School, which he was the class of 1975.

At a young age during his time in the Philippines, he enjoyed swimming and started competing in the Junior Asian Pacific Swim meets in the Philippines. He continued his passion for swimming in San Diego and set a record at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center for the Butterfly Stroke for the 13 year age bracket.

Rey also had another passion which was music. He began learning the piano and the guitar at an early age. During his high school years he met friends and musicians, in which he was still in contact with and was involved with bands in the 70’s such as “Ecstacy”, “City Limits” and “Magic”. During the 80’s, while attending college at San Diego State University (SDSU), he became very involved in the Samahan Dance Company where he danced, but mostly was instrumental with playing the Octavina, Authentic drums and Gongs from Mindanao, Philippines. Later, he started another band called “High Priority”, which he managed, did sound, sang and played guitar. His brother Rick played the keyboards and later, Glenda took over when Rick left for Chicago. Rey and Glenda continued the band and soon got married in 1990. They decided to put music on hold to focus more on their work careers and family. Later as Michael and Miranda grew to become adults, Rey and Glenda joined Akua Pono along with John Academia and Del Tulao. It was time to bring music back into their lives. Many of you have come to watch Akua Pono as they played around San Diego. Your love and support always brought smiles.

Rey began his work and community career soon after he received both his BA and Master Degree in Psychology at San Diego State University. While working his day job at Navy Personnel Research and Development Center (NPRDC) for the Navy, he continued his education and received his Ph.D. in Education at Claremont Graduate University/San Diego State University.

Rey was the Director of Analytical Studies & Institutional Research at San Diego State University and Doctoral Faculty/College of Education. His professional career with San Diego State University spanned from April 2004 to January 2021. Prior to working at SDSU he was Chief Researcher for the San Diego Community College District, Senior Educational Research Analyst for SDSU, City Heights K-16, Personnel Research Psychologist for County of San Diego Department of Human Resources and Personnel Research Psychologist with NRPDC.

Rey also taught at SDSU and National University with courses in Education and Psychology. Courses he taught were “Investigating and Reporting Issues in Education”, “Advanced Education Statistics”,” Methods of Inquiry”, “Action Research in Multicultural Setting”, “Analysis of Data in Psychological Research”, “Computer Applications in Psychology”, “Organizational Development” and “Cross-Cultural Dynamics of Human Behavior”.

During his professional career, Rey has authored and co-authored over 40 Publications, Professional Papers and Briefings. Some of his publications just to name a few included “Collective self-esteem and perceptions of family and campus environments among Filipino American college students”, “Welcome to the Filipino American Community: Positively no second generation allowed?”, “Validation of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for the Electricity and Electronics Schools”, “Development of Automated ASVAR Analysis System”, “The effects of the family environment on the academic performance of Pilipino American college students” (His Master’s Thesis, SDSU) and other numerous publications.

Rey’s passion for community work started to progress throughout time. He was active with Campus community at SDSU, the Filipino Community and Education Community in San Diego. He was the former President of the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County (COPAO) and President and co-founder of the AB Samahan Filipino American SDSU Alumni Chapter. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors for Kalusugan Community Services and The Filipino American Educators of San Diego County (FILAMEDA). Served as a Vice Chair Commissioner on the Chula Vista Districting Commission and chaired the Citizen’s Oversight Committee to the General Obligation Bond in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.

Rey was also a member of the City/Schools Community Task Force. In addition, he recently chaired the District Filipino American Education Advisory Committee for the Sweetwater Union High School District and served as chair of the School Site Council at Olympic View Elementary School. He also served as the former President of the FILAMEDA of San Diego County. During his tenure, FILAMEDA hosted the Filipino American Educators of California Fifth Annual Statewide Conference. This major effort required and received cooperation from superintendents of the San Diego area school and college districts. One of the successful components of the Conference was the Administrator’s Round Table which involved Principals from San Diego County Schools and addressed the urgent needs of the Filipino community. Rey was awarded the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community. He has written grants, which were funded by the California State Department of Education to sponsor the successful Asian Pacific Islander Non-Traditional Careers Conference. As the program director, he coordinated this annual conference titled “Forging Links-The New Challenge” This conference was a joint venture with two other Asian community organizations, Operation Samahan and the Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC). Rey was recognized as “Who’s Who in the Filipino Community listed in the 1993-1994 publication of the San Diego Asian Business Directory.

In addition, he served as a member of the Asian Pacific Education Council (San Diego City Schools) and the Student Suspension Review Task Force (San Diego City Schools) both groups act as advisory to the Superintendent and the San Diego School Board. Rey has also served as an advisory board member of the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Project for the Union of Pan Asian Community (UPAC) and a member of the Education Committee for the Council of Pilipino American Organizations (COPAO).

The outpouring of support from the community his colleagues and friends has been overwhelming. Many have said that his sudden passing is a great loss to the Filipino Community and Education Community as well. Not only was Rey considered a husband, father, brother, son and friend, he was recognized as a Community leader, Organizer and a Mentor and Advisor by many of his colleagues, friends and students. He was “very much loved and respected by so many, with his calm, humble and authentic presence”. “He was the consummate professional as well as a loyal colleague and friend”. Much of Rey’s success and accomplishments are mostly attributed to the sacrifices, encouragement and support from his wife Glenda and children, Michael and Miranda.

May Rey Rest in Peace.