Q-C cardiologist succumbs to leukemia

By Ann McGlynn | Friday, October 3, 2008

Sick and in intensive care at the hospital, Stephen Alldredge heard the name of one of his patients mentioned out in the hallway.

Alldredge, a Quad-City cardiologist battling leukemia, wanted to know what happened to that patient, why the patient was sick enough to require hospitalization.

"I have patients to take care of," he would tell his wife, Roxey.

And he did. Alldredge had hundreds of patients who needed help mending their hearts. His friends, co-workers and family said he was most kind, most compassionate and most thorough in his care for each and every person who came his way.

"He made everyone feel comfortable," his wife said. "The day he was diagnosed, his main concern was that he hadn't helped enough people."

What followed after his diagnosis was a bone marrow drive, a bone marrow transplant in August 2007, a triumphant return to his beloved work in the spring. But then, in July, things started going wrong again.

On Monday, Alldredge learned an aggressive form of leukemia was attacking his body.

On Tuesday, Alldredge came home. In a MedForce helicopter, from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, he arrived at the hospital he practiced at: Genesis Medical Center.

On Wednesday, a close group of friends and family gathered in his room. He told his wife - who fought for and took care of him - she had to let him go.

On Thursday, he died.

Saturday, friends, family, co-workers and patients will walk in his memory at the Light the Night Walk at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.

On Monday, they will bury him.

"He gave it all that he had," said Leigh Lykins, a nurse who is helping to organize 'Team Alldredge' for the walk Saturday. "He is going to so missed. So missed."

Alldredge's memory will carry on in many ways.

Roxey Alldredge will miss the presence of her husband.

A memorial fund will be established in his name.

And there are a handful of people who found their own bone marrow match because of the bone marrow drive held in Alldredge's honor at Genesis.

"He fought with a real positive attitude that there would be a positive outcome," Roxey Alldredge said. But then, with the leukemia too aggressive to fight, he decided "it's OK to give up when there is no other choice."

Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com.

BETTENDORF --- Dr. Stephen G. Alldredge, 54, of Bettendorf, passed away October 2, 2008, after a courageous battle with leukemia. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 6, 2008, 10 a.m. at First Christian Church, Davenport. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 5, 2008, from 2to 8 p.m. at Runge Mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Stephen G. Alldredge Memorial Fund.

Steve Alldredge was born December 20, 1953, in Lockney, Texas, the son of Delbert and Ethel Ruth (Cook) Alldredge. He was united in marriage to Roxanne Meye on August 16, 2003, in Bettendorf.

In his younger years Steve served as youth minister and was very involved in the Methodist Church. As he worked his way through school he also taught junior high math and science and worked as a flight medic, which lead his desire to become a doctor.

Dr. Alldredge completed his undergraduate training and B.S. degree from Texas Wesleyan University. He received his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, North Texas State University in 1985. His General Internship, Internal Medicine Residency and Cardiology Fellowship were completed at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He most recently served academic positions of Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa, and as Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Midwestern University in Chicago. His memberships included the American College of Osteopathic Internists, American Medical Association, Scott County Medical Society, American Osteopathic Association, the American Heart Association, Iowa Osteopathic Association-Scott County Chapter, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasant Forever, Arbor Foundation, and Wild Turkey Federation.

Dr. Alldredge was board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, but limited his practice to cardiology. He began his private practice in Davenport in 1991 and joined Cardiovascular Medicine, P.C., in June 1997.

Steve had a great love for the outdoors; he was an avid hunter of all kinds of game and enjoyed fly fishing for trout. Steve loved movies and was an exceptional speed reader, with the ability to read novels in just hours. This ability to speed read allowed him to be vary knowledgeable in numerous areas. Steve was also very generous in his charitable donations supporting many great causes.

Steve loved spending time with his family and friends. His love for being a doctor, made going to work to help others his favorite activity. One of his main concerns was whether he had helped enough people. He always took the time to care for his patients and had true concern for them all.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Roxanne "Roxey" Alldredge, Bettendorf; two sons, Matthew (Abby) Alldredge, Ft. Worth/Dallas, Texas, and Johnathan Guberud, Bettendorf; two daughters, Jessica (TJ) Walters, Milwaukee, Wis., and Katie Guberud, Bettendorf; three grandchildren; sister, Jayne Ashlock, Lubbock, Texas; and brother, David (Kristi) Alldredge, Midland, Texas. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, a nephew, Mark Ashlock, and several faithful pets, including Josh, who passed on October 2, 2008.