CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Terry Zahn, 53, of Chesapeake, Va., died Jan. 25, 2000, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Milwaukee, Zahn was the son of Lorraine Rommel Zahn and the late Harvey W. Zahn.

Mr. Zahn received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1964 with a double major in radio-TV and sociology. In 1974, he was awarded a master of arts degree in communications from the University of Hawaii. He was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1969 and served as an officer in Norfolk assigned to Commander Carrier Division TWO. He made two deployments to the Mediterranean aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.

Mr. Zahn moved to WAVY-TV in Portsmouth in 1981 as weekend anchor and reporter; in 1984, he became the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. co-anchor. In 1994, he moved to WVEC-TV as 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. co-anchor; in 1996, he became the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. co-anchor.

He won numerous reporting awards from The Associated Press, United Press International and Virginia Association of Broadcasters. In 1984, with another reporter, he won the Radio TV News Directors Association International Award (best in the nation) for coverage of the sinking of the coal ship Marine Electric.

Mr. Zahn also taught college-level courses at four colleges and universities, including Old Dominion University. He was active in numerous charities, especially the American Cancer Society. He served on the Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach Board of Directors and was a member of the National Advisory Committee for the Cancer Society’s main fund-raiser, the Relay for Life. Last November, the American Cancer Society inducted him into the Relay for Life Hall of Fame for his efforts in developing Relay at local, state and national levels.

Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, Jean Zahn; his mother-in-law, Toshiko Takchara of Honolulu; several relatives in Wisconsin; and an extended family of fans, friends and media colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2730 Ellsmere Ave., Norfolk, VA 23513.