 Shavelson was married to his second wife, Ruth Florea, from 2001 until his death in 2007; they resided in Studio City, California.Shavelson died of natural causes on August 8, 2007, at his home He was 90 years old.He was survived by a sister, Geraldine Youcha of Manhattan and New City, New York; two children from his first marriage, Richard, of Menlo Park, California, and Lynne Joiner of Washington; and three grandchildren.