September 8, 1943 – September 26, 2012
Dr. Stephen Dean Allen ,69, Indianapolis, James Warren Smith Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Director of Clinical Microbiology Laboratories at IU Health and VA Medical Center in Indianapolis died peacefully at his home in Indianapolis the night of September 26 after a short illness.
Born in Linton, Indiana on September 8, 1943, Dr. Allen earned his Undergraduate Degree (1965) and Masters Degree (1967) in Microbiology from IU Bloomington and MD degree (1970) from the IU School of Medicine. He did his Pathology Residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Steve also served as Medical Officer with the United States Public Health Service at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia from 1974 to 1977
His Indiana University appointment in the Pathology Department began in 1977 where he was responsible for the administration of Clinical Microbiology Laboratories at IU Health, Wishard and the Veterans Administration Hospitals. Dr. Allen also served as Director of the Disease Control Laboratories with the Indiana State Board of Health from 1994 to 2004. He belonged to many Medical and Pathology Societies and received numerous awards and recognitions including membership in the Alliance of Distinguished and Titled Professors.
He served as a Trustee for the American Board of Pathology during 1995 to 2006 and served as President of that Board during 2003.
Through authorship and co-authorship of 30 text books and several hundred publications Dr. Allen became respected internationally as a researcher and educator of his field of anaerobic microbiology.
From Steve’s early age, music was a favorite hobby. He played trumpet and electric bass in many bands over the years and more recently was a member of the “The Residue”, “The Midnight Sanity” and “The Shirley Judkins Band”. He was passionate about Fly Fishing along with hunting as being some of his favorite hobbies.
Steve is survived by his wife Vally of 48 years, his son Christopher (Antonia), his daughter, Amy (Todd); two grandchildren, Esme 11 years old and Samuel 8 years old, mother-in-law, Frances Autrey.
There will be two memorial services, Thursday, October 4, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6050 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, starting at 3:00 p.m., with visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Another memorial service will take place on Friday October 5, at the Switz City Cemetery with a reception to follow, location of reception will be announced at service.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org and/or the Indiana Medical History Museum, www.imhm.org.
Arrangements entrusted to Albertsons Mortuary, Sherman Chapel.