Stephen H. Petersdorf ’80 MD’83, P’13

Stephen H. Petersdorf, 55, of Seattle, WA, died June 28 after a courageous fight against cancer. Born in Baltimore and raised in Seattle, he returned there after his undergraduate and medical education to complete his training in internal medicine and hematology-oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Steve was associate professor of medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology and the school’s first Endowed Chair in Cancer Care, and treated patients at the UW Medical Center and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. In 2012, he joined Seattle Genetics as senior medical director of medical affairs, where he worked to translate new cancer therapies for patients. Steve’s passion for patient care extended nationally, as a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and Seattle Magazine named him a “Top Doc” from 2002 to 2012. He took his role as husband and father as seriously as he did his professional career. He balanced a twocareer marriage with respect, love, and humor. A proud baseball, football, and lacrosse dad, he was ever-present for his boys, both in the classroom and on the sidelines. Steve was a passionate supporter of the Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle, for which he served as president of the board of directors. He leaves his wife, Effie, and sons, Nick ’13, Andrew, and Colin, of Seattle; and a brother.