Robert S. Zelenka passed away peacefully on Monday, September 8, 2025, at age 81.

He was born in Shreveport, LA, on February 14,1944, but grew up in Dallas, TX, graduating from Highland Park High School, Dallas, in 1961. He then attended Rice University in Houston, TX, where he graduated with a double major in Philosophy and English and a minor in Physics. At Rice he also met his future wife, Peggy. The two were married in 1966, and moved to Baltimore, MD, to attend graduate school at Johns Hopkins University where Robert received a Master of Arts degree in English Literature.  Subsequently, Robert and Peggy moved to Annapolis, MD, where Robert taught at St. Johns College and Anne Arundel Community College. In 1988, the couple moved to Silver Spring where Robert taught at the Washington Waldorf School until his retirement in 1998. His broad interests and mastery of diverse subject matter allowed him to teach subjects as diverse as English literature, classical Greek, and physics.

Robert will be remembered by all who knew him for his open friendliness, his willingness to share his knowledge, and his selfless concern for others. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Zelenka, and remembered with love by his many friends and students.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, September 10, at the Garden of Remembrance, 14321 Comus Road, Clarksburg, MD.  A reception will be held after the service at the Zelenka residence. Peggy will continue to receive visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:00PM until September 17th.