"I?m so very sorry and saddened to hear of Jeff?s passing. He played the trombone behind me in the band and I played French horn. Vesna the clarinet. We were all good friends. My deepest sympathy and condolences to you, Vesna, and family. I appreciated all the Christmas letters every year that kept me in touch with your lives. He was funny, intelligent and a loving guy to you all and will be sorely missed. Your photos and obituary are a touching tribute to his life and memory. Always, Marlene Dieter"
In loving memory of
Jeffrey Alan Sloan
August 10, 1959 - May 1, 2022
Jeff A. Sloan was a lifelong proponent for Quality of Life research. Unfortunately, his QOL suffered in the last months, up until he lost his battle with cancer on May 1, 2022. Jeff passed away peacefully, yet much too soon at the age of 62, in a serene setting at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, Minnesota.
Jeff was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He met the love of his life, Vesna Kruc, in the band room of Sisler High School, when they were both 15. She became his wife 8 years later. Their first baby girl, Elizabeth, was born in 1990, and their second little sweetie, Marilyn, was born in 1993, in Winnipeg. Son, Alan, was born in 1996, a couple of months after the family joined Jeff in Rochester, Minnesota. Jeff's pride and joy was his family. He was never happier than when they were around to go to the park, or spend an evening playing cards and games together. He loved his fuzzy buddies, the family puppers, Ryu, Loki and Kaia, and he was totally enamored with his sweet little chinchilla, Freya. Jeff had a larger-than-life persona, which was equaled by his 6'6"+ size. Jeff had a fun loving, gregarious personality that could hold the attention of a board room or a convention center full of people! It was often noted that he missed his calling by not becoming a comedian.
Jeff received his Masters Degree in Statistics in 1982, and after working for a couple of years, he went back to the University of Manitoba to pursue his Ph.D. Jeff earned his doctorate in 1991, then he worked in a variety of health related fields, most notably as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba. When he was offered a position at Mayo Clinic, he went south to MN to check it out. He has been with Mayo for almost 27 years. Jeff was a Professor of Biostatistics and a Professor of Oncology. He was a Consultant of the Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Health Sciences Research; Lead Statistician in the Division of Biomedical Statistics & Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences; and a Consultant (Joint Appointment) of the Department of Surgery - at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Jeff has over 562 peer-reviewed published articles.
Jeff was predeceased by his parents, Elmer & Olive, and his two sisters Sandra Sloan and Vivian Kostyk, also father-in-law Jakob Kruc.
A Memorial service will be held 3:00 pm, Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal Pl. NW, Rochester, MN 55901). Visitation will be held Friday, May 6, 2022, from 5-8 pm at the funeral home as well as one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Oakwood Columbarium.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Sloan family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"You will be remembered and missed always, your love of knowledge, music, animals, helping others, travel, nature... but most of all your love of family, especially your one and only high school love and wife (Vesna) and your wonderful children, Elizabeth, Maryln and Alan! ????"
"Jeff Sloan changed the world with his quality of life studies. Jeff taught me that quality of life is far more important than quantity of life. Jeff was a friend and an advocate to everyone who was blessed to know him. He cared. With his kind,smiling, comforting smile, he listened and spent countless hours helping people to obtain their quality of life hopes and dreams. I remember Jeff paying a special visit to one of my dying friends at the Charter House. She had worked for Jeff,doing a statistics temporary job that lasted two years. My friend asked me to contact Jeff and let her know her situation. He never missed a day visiting her sending her flowers and comforting her mother. Right up to the end of her life,Jeff was ensuring her dignity and quality of life. If there was one person in my lifetime who made a difference it was Jeff. Five years ago I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I interviewed for a news article to help other women know the warning signs. Jeff contacted me and he said,I read your article and saw you running. I know how important running is to your quality of life. If you ever need me to help you keep on the bike path with your running shoes on, I am here." He was there. Jeff understand how important patients furry companions were to their quality of life. He would arrange for a therapeutic leave for pet owners to have a healing hour to bond with their cherished companions. To Jeff"s dear family and furry buddies I send you my prayers and hope that you always are able to maintain your quality of life. I hope that Jeff's legacy will continue. Jane Komidor"
"Jeff was such a caring, loving, intelligent, compassionate individual who was so enjoyable to talk with. I knew him from water aerobics and enjoyed our conversations immensely. I always treasured his friendship. My condolences to his family. Elaine Birgin "
"I so enjoyed my visits with Jeff in the 125 Pool he always greeted me with that wonderful smile and asked and listened to how I was doing Prayers for the family Pam "
"Jeff was always laughing and was usually willing to let us in on the joke if we asked. If you listen closely, you can hear the roar as he tells another funny story to his compatriots in heaven.
Sincere condolences to his family on their loss,
Lynn Flickinger (Mayo Clinic Cancer Center PDU)"