Alisa Branham

Born September 2, 1957, Alisa was the oldest child of Virgil Dean and Deanna Jo (Brodecker) Palmer. She had four siblings (Brian, Julie, Virgil Jr. and Mindy) but became estranged from her family at age 17. She died in her Lawence Kansas home with her son Travis Paustian present, on October 7th, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. She is survived by her beloved only child, Henry ‘Travis’ Paustian, Lawrence, and an extended family of dear friends.

Alisa was a first-generation college student who always loved learning. She earned two degrees from KU (BFA, 1980, MA in Art History, 1994). She graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 1975 and met her first husband, Henry William Paustian, in sculpture class at JCCC in 1976. They were married until 1988.

Alisa was serving as Assistant Dean of the KU School of Fine Arts when she met and married Richard Branham, Professor in the Design Department, in 1992. Although Richard was 17 years older than Alisa, they had so much in common. They both valued education, liberal politics, and service. Life with Richard was always interesting and busy. They taught genealogy classes at the Watkins Museum as volunteers for several years. Alisa organized their travels, including five trips to England, Scotland and Ireland. Richard died in February 2020, after a brief battle with cancer, just before the COVID pandemic began.

Alisa retired from KU in 2022 after serving 24 years as The Licensure Officer for the School of Education & Human Sciences. She loved her colleagues and working with college students. Alisa was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining friends; Travis inherited this from Da Momma. Alisa enjoyed writing cookbooks, researching family history, hosting dinners and volunteering. Although she wished there had been a partner for dancing, more time for creative pursuits and a pool table in the basement, life was still very good in her later years.

She had several close friends who were like family including Professor Jon Swindell, who counseled and consoled her daily after Richard's death. Many of Richard's former students became Alisa's friends too, including Alp Tiritoglu. After Richard passed, she often said ‘Love is all that matters. Period.’ She loved so many people, and so deeply.

There will be a private service where Alisa and Richard's cremated remains will be interred together at Pioneer Cemetery on the KU campus.

A celebration of life will be held on May 3rd, 2025, at 11:30am at The Carnegie building, 200 W. 9th St. Lawrence Kansas. Food and drink will be provided. She would want us to hug our loved ones, share a meal with friends, vote a straight democratic ticket and donate time or money to a progressive cause in Richard and Alisa's memory.