Dr. Edward Steinmetz

Dr. Edward F. Steinmetz, MD, passed away peacefully at the St. Vincent Hospice on May 27, 2011, at the age of 86. Dr. Steinmetz was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on May 13, 1925, to George and Josephine (Lane) Steinmetz, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his siblings George (Grace) Steinmetz, Mary (Fred) Ritter, Anne (Richard) O?Connor and Joan Steinmetz. A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Ed Steinmetz married Lou Ann Kervan in 1949 and together they raised eight children. Lou Ann preceded Ed in death in 1998 after 49 blessed and happy years of marriage. Dr. Steinmetz is survived by his children Terry (Kate) Steinmetz, Lisbeth Ann (Timothy) McDowell, Joe (Loran) Steinmetz, Tom Steinmetz, Suzie (Paul) Ivkovich, Chris (Nora) Steinmetz, Karen (Chris) Coss, Mary Kay (Dan) Lauderback, and 19 grandchildren. His special friend, Evie Infanger, also survives. Dr. Steinmetz attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic School, Cathedral High School and Indiana University. His education was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He returned from the service and used the GI bill to further his education. After graduating from Indian...[more]

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niversity in chemistry, he started in the master?s program in anatomy. He was accepted into Indiana University School of Medicine and graduated in 1955. He completed his internship and part of his internal medicine residency at St. Vincent Hospital at its former location at Fall Creek Parkway and Capitol Avenue. He finished his residency in cardiology at the Indianapolis General Hospital and went on to be the first Research Fellow at the National Heart Institute under Dr. Charles Fisch, MD. After completing his cardiology fellowship, he became Associate Director of the Krannert Institute of Cardiology. He remained there until 1966, when he returned to St. Vincent Hospital as the Director of Medical Education. He became Chairman of the Cardiology Department in 1970, a position he held until 2000. He was a founding member of Northside Cardiology, P.C., with Drs. Stanley Hillis and Donald Rothbaum in 1977. Nationally recognized as pioneer in the field of cardiology, Dr. Steinmetz introduced the technique of cardiac catheterization to St. Vincent Hospital and subsequently traveled to Zurich, Switzerland to learn the new technique of percutaneous coronary angioplasty from its pioneer, Dr. Andreas Gruentzig. Northside Cardiology, P.C., merged with Storer and Schmidt Cardiology to form the Care Group, LLC. With the subsequent merger with Nasser, Smith and Pinkerton Cardiology, the Care Group, LLC became one of the largest private practice cardiology groups in the United States, offering complete cardiology care. The Care Group has become The St. Vincent Medical Group and has offices throughout the state with more than 100 physicians. Dr. Steinmetz retired from the practice of medicine in 2004. At St. Vincent Hospital, Dr. Steinmetz held many leadership positions, including chairman of a number of committees, President of the Medical Staff and member of the Board of Directors for the St. Vincent Foundation. He was the co-recipient of the first St. Vincent Distinguished Physician Award in 1996. Dr. Steinmetz was involved with the American Heart Association as Affiliate President and Chairman of the Research Committee. He was awarded its Cor Vitea Award for his years of service and dedication to his patients and to the field of cardiology. He was elected Governor of the American College of Cardiology for the State of Indiana. Dr. Steinmetz served as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine and established a scholarship through the Indiana University Foundation to benefit promising medical students at the I.U School of Medicine. Dr. Steinmetz was involved in the Catholic Youth Organization during his children?s schooling and was given its St. John Bosco and Monsignor Albert Busald Awards. He was involved in Boy Scout Troop 174 and made many canoe trips in the Quetico with his scouting sons. He was also active at Cathedral High School, serving on its Board of Directors and was named the Cathedral Tradition Man of the Year in 2007. He also received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Gov. Evan Bayh. The family cherishes many memories and especially the time spent at Lake Macatawa in Michigan. He enjoyed photography, repairing things, spending time with his children and grandchildren and playing golf. He was most proud of his hole-in-one at the age of 84 years. Friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, June 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46240. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 13 at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holiday Drive East, Indianapolis, Indiana. Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Vincent Foundation, the CASE Endowment at Cathedral High School, the Alzheime