Steven R. Zeldenrust was an esteemed amyloidosis researcher in addition to being a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, and valued colleague. He was a devoted Christian which brought him comfort and solace during his 10 year battle with cancer.
Steve was born and raised in Indiana. He obtained his MD and PhD from the University of Indiana. As part of his PhD under the mentorship of Professor Merrill Benson, he developed a mouse model for transthyretin amyloidosis. During that period, he also contributed to the recognition of several new transthyretin variants and demonstrated that the Phe-717 mutation of amyloid precursor protein was rare among individuals with or at risk for early on-set Alzheimer’s disease.
He moved to Mayo Clinic in 1995 for his residency with an established interest in amyloidosis and became a Consultant in Hematology at the Mayo Clinic in June of 2002. His longstanding work in familial amyloidosis was critical in the development of the trial protocol that led to approved therapies for familial amyloidosis polyneuropathy (ATTRv).
With over 100 manuscripts in the field of amyloidosis including transthyretin amyloidosis, immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and fibrinogen alpha amyloidosis, he was a valued member of the amyloidosis community. He was an active member of the International Society of Amyloidosis, serving two terms as treasurer for that society.
Steve brought not only his intellect to all that he did, but also good humor, wit, and kindness. He helped innumerable patients wend their way through difficult diagnoses from AL amyloidosis to hereditary amyloidosis to multiple myeloma. Steve is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deb, his two sons and their families, as well as his mother and two sisters.
Angela Dispenzieri
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA