Andrew Slivka, born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1921, graduated from John Adams High School in 1939. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, flying combat missions over Japan and earning the Purple Heart. After the war, he continued his service in the Air Force Reserves, achieving the rank of colonel.

Slivka graduated from Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) and taught mechanical engineering there for five years. He earned a Bachelor of Law from Cleveland Marshall Law School and maintained a legal practice until his appointment as bailiff for Judge Edward Crudele at the Garfield Heights Municipal Court, a role he held for 14 years.

In 1976, he was appointed Judge of the Garfield Heights Municipal Court, serving in this capacity for 18 years until his retirement in 1994. For the past nine years, Judge Slivka resided in Columbus, Ohio.

He was married to Yolanda Casini, and together they had two children, Susan and Andrew, Jr., and four grandsons.