Alan Kenneth Fedge

Alan grew up in Ackley, Iowa, where he delivered papers, worked construction, and developed into a standout athlete. Discouraged by his parents from attending school in the “big city” at the University of Iowa, he went to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he was President of his senior class and lettered in football, track, and golf. On the gridiron, he was a four-year starter at half back and quarterback, and co-captain his senior year. As quarterback, he still holds the Luther record for highest yards per completion and was the only small college player named to the Academic All-America Team in 1959. Reflective of how different the game was then, he also shows up in Luther Football’s Career Top 10 Lists as both a punter and punt returner. He was inducted into the Luther College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976.

Once again choosing the responsible route, Alan declined an invitation to Philadelphia Eagles training camp, and instead went on to medical school. He earned his degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1964, where he co-authored several scholarly articles and was chosen to attend specialized training at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. It was there he tasted his first martini, which later in life replaced milk as his favorite beverage.

After medical school, Alan moved to Seattle with his wife, Sally, and baby daughter Deb, for an internship at Swedish Hospital. From there, the family moved to Arcadia, California, where he practiced family medicine, and where daughter Kirsten was born. During this time, Alan served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve as Commanding Officer of a mobile M.A.S.H. unit supporting the Third Army in 29 Palms, California.

In 1969 Alan and Sally moved the family back to Iowa, beginning his long career in Radiology with a residency at the University of Iowa. Ingrid was born, and the family brought home the first of many pairs of beloved German Shepherd dogs. Over time, Alan gained an affinity for Huskies - most recently a famously-spoiled Husky named Neko.

From 1972 to 1997, Alan worked at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. During this time, Erika and Andrew were born, and the family moved to the farm in North Liberty, where on weekends Alan taught the kids to drive tractors and DeLoreans (fun) and to put up snow fence (not so fun). Although he would forever love Southern California, the family most frequently vacationed in Estes Park, Colorado, where Alan and Sally eventually bought a second home and where the kids were made to wake up (way too) early for long hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Looking back, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

After 1997, Alan worked at Washington County Hospitals and Clinics, in Washington, Iowa, and Trinity Medical Center in Muscatine, Iowa, where he was well known for his humor, and where the staff became his family. Later, and after more than 55 years practicing medicine, his career ended where it had started – at the University of Iowa. He worked at the University until he was 82 years old, finally agreeing to let the family take care of him for once, retiring to the home in Colorado.

Alan took immense pride in his children, who survive him: Deborah Fedge, Kirsten Schorsch, Ingrid Fedge, Erika Burkhardt, and Andrew Fedge, as well as his grandchildren, Eric Schoer, Kathryn Schoer, Brandon Schorsch, Aidan Schorsch, Grayson Schorsch, and Caroline Burkhardt. Just last year, Alan’s first great-grandchild, Kennedy Schoer, was born. Alan is also survived by his sister, Avis Romm, and his wife, Sally.

Alan’s brother-in-law is Ronald Romm, and his sons-in-law are Jon Schoer (deceased), John Schorsch, Ralph Walters, and Chad Burkhardt. Spouses to his grandchildren - Brittany Schoer, Pierre Arechavala (fiancé), and Aldona Martinka - round out the extended family.

The family plans to celebrate Alan’s life privately, but know he was treasured by many friends and colleagues. To convey condolences and to sign an online registry, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (www.alzdiscovery.org). While the disease may have affected some of his memory, it never affected his deep love and dedication to family. If you would like to celebrate Alan a different way, consider taking your children or grandchildren to a football game, like he did so many times. Even if just in spirit, he will meet you there.