In Memoriam

Elaine Williams Parker ’58 peacefully passed away at home in Peachtree City, GA on September 11, 2022, at the age of 81. Elaine is survived by her husband Norman Parker, brother Terry Williams of Scottsdale, AZ., sister Linda McKinney of Lakewood, WA., daughters Linda Parker Damodaran (Ashwin Damodaran) of Milton, GA., and Gayle Parker Gerdes (Eric Gerdes) of Dayton, MD., grandchildren Raina Damodaran, Neena Damodaran, Robert Gerdes, Michael Gerdes, and Anna Gerdes.

Michael Sloan ’72 passed away suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Palmdale, CA, on September 14, 2022. Mike is survived by his immediate family including daughters Pamela and Kathryn (Katie), and his former wife, Susan Garrow-Sloan. A memorial service was held on October 1, 2022, at 1 PM at Lancaster Baptist Church, located in Lancaster, CA. A retired US Naval Commander and international businessman, Mike was also a loving father and husband, a US patriot, a world traveler, a golfer and black belt in Taekwondo, and a good friend to many, including many TAS alumni. People are encouraged to make a donation in Mike’s memory to the Lancaster Baptist Church.

Sharon L. Branch ’73 passed away on March 23, 2022. She is survived by her brother Gerald Branch ’72. Our condolences to Sharon and Gerald’s family.

Yoshiko Zenda ’74 passed away from Parkinson’s disease on December 5, 2021 in New Jersey. Yoshiko lived in many countries throughout her life, including Japan, Taiwan, the United States, Zimbabwe, and Cambodia, working as an Executive Director of Female Reproductive Health at UNFPA for 33 years. She was always eager to help others, and in her personal life, had passions for cooking (especially Japanese dishes), traveling, reading biographies, knitting/crocheting, and supporting her sons. Yoshiko is survived by her sister, Atsuko Zenda ’78, and her two sons, Haru and Shun.

Lesley Hall ’79 passed away on December 9, 2022. She attended TAS from 1976 to 1978. She is survived by her husband Jim Smith ’78 with whom she reconnected in 2015 and married in 2018. Lesley and Jim shared the story of their reconnection in the 2019 Alumni News Magazine.

Former faculty Bob Hartleip passed away in March 2023. He taught physical education at TAS from 1988 to 1995. He is survived by his daughter Sherry Hartleip Scherden.