Alan Lee Sverdlik

Alan Sverdlik of White County passed away Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, at his Shoal Creek residence after an extended illness. He was 59. Mr. Sverdlik was born in New York City, but relocated south to attend Emory University, where he graduated with honors and reigned as the state champion of table tennis. He also attended Port Washington Tennis Academy and studied under the legendary Harry Hopman and played on the courts with the likes of John McEnroe and Vitus Gerulaitis. An accomplished and respected journalist, Mr. Sverdlik worked as a reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covered regional politics, Southern culture, food, and travel. He was assigned many important stories of the day, including the Oklahoma City bombings and the Crown Heights riots. While working at the Tampa Tribune, he covered Hispanic affairs because he was fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. He broke the first story on HIV/AIDS that ran in Florida. His work also appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Post, The Baltimore Sun, and Atlanta magazine, among other publications, and he was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his writing, which was renowned for its polish, humanity, and elegance. (Media commentator Howard Kurtz once called Mr. Sverdlik the "human vacuum cleaner," for his detailed work.) Mr. Sverdlik was editor-in-chief of Atlanta Life Magazine. Mr. Sverdlik zealously followed baseball, the Yankees in particular, and he loved sushi, swimming, and the novels of Graham Greene. He is preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Elaine Sverdlik. He is survived by his brother Roger Sverdlik; sister Nan Elmore; longtime, beloved companion, Candice Dyer; and his much-loved cat, Elena. The ultimate egalitarian, Mr. Sverdlik treated everyone, regardless of background, with great dignity, care and respect. Mr. Sverdlik, with his warm smile, gentle spirit, and generous nature, will be missed more than we could ever express. An interfaith memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Travis Chapel on Hood Street. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to TLC Animal Shelter (a no-kill shelter) at 1735 Red Oak Flats Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533.