Dr. Jay A. Rosenberger

Dr. Jay Rosenberger, a grandfather, father, husband, and physician died on Friday, November 22, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. His sharp memory, devotion to caring for others, and commitment to his values endeared him to thousands of patients over his career. He was 69. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Hy-Vee Hall Junior Ballroom at The Iowa Events Center in Des Moines with a celebration of life following at 6:30 p.m. A private family burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines at a later date.

Dr. Rosenberger (Fellow, American College of Physicians) practiced Internal Medicine with UnityPoint Health-Iowa Methodist Medical Center and was an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at Carver College of Medicine (University of Iowa). Putting people first always, he took time to know his patients and their families, with a special talent for finding unique connections with anyone from his beloved state of Iowa. His work with residents and medical students kept him young and fed his passion for medicine. Jay was awarded Teacher of the Year, University of Iowa (Des Moines) Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2007. Most recently, he received the Master Teacher Award in 2024, only the fourth recipient in the history of the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Rosenberger was also awarded the 2019-2020 Preceptor of the Year award by Broadlawns Medical Center Resident Physicians.

A lover of music, Jay was a long-time member of the Drake University Community Chorus. He was an enthusiastic and full-throated stalwart of the baritone section. When treatment for head and neck cancer briefly took his voice in 2008, he worked diligently to regain vocal strength and return to the group.

Jay’s greatest joy was spending time with family, his grandchildren especially. He and his wife, Cindy, have seven grandchildren. Rarely was Jay at a loss for words, but at family gatherings he often sat quietly, chin on his hand, watching the grandchildren at play.

Jay was born in 1955 in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Tom and Twyla Rosenberger. He was welcomed to the family by his older brother, Kirk, who remained a lifelong companion. The family traversed northwest Iowa in Jay and Kirk’s youth, following Twyla and Tom’s teaching careers (elementary education and vocal music, respectively). He noted that his interest in medicine began with the assassination of JFK, as he followed reports of the neurosurgeons who tried to save the former president.

His formative years were marked by the start of high school in Sioux Center and graduation from Guthrie Center High School, where he ran track, played football and basketball, and sang in the choir. He matriculated to Iowa State in 1973, graduating in 1977 with a degree in Zoology. He was a staunch supporter of the Iowa State Cyclones for life. He attended his final football game at Jack Trice Stadium in November 2024 with his family.

Dr. Rosenberger began his practice with the Iowa Physician’s Clinic in 1989, following residency with the group and his graduation from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (now Des Moines University). He assumed the practice from the revered Dr. Charlie Gutenkauf. Dr. Rosenberger remained in practice for another 35+ years until he passed. His achievements include the Volunteer Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award of the Iowa Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (Medical Honor Society, University of Iowa) and receiving the Laureate Award, Iowa Chapter, American College of Physicians in 2017. The Laureate Award is given to individuals who have distinguished records as clinicians and educators.

Jay married Cindy in June 2007 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Cindy celebrates his life along with their combined children: Aaron Rosenberger (Anna Brandsoy), Krissi Pierce (Mike), Andy Rosenberger (Courtney), Stephanie Brown (Austin), Michelle Johnson (Matthew Crowe), and Bill Johnson (Pat Tiamwech), and seven grandchildren: Adnan, Anna Marie, Henry, Wallace, Claire, Maia and Teddy. Cindy and Jay loved to travel to Arizona and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Cindy and Jay enjoyed a memorable trip to Spain and France last summer, as well as a trip to Thailand in 2019. Jay is also survived by his brother, Kirk Rosenberger (Gloria Gallegos). Jay is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Twyla Rosenberger. His family will remember his generous spirit, flair for storytelling, and twinkling blue eyes.

Memorial donations can be made to the Medical Education Foundation through UnityPoint-Des Moines.