Last week, recent Simpson retiree Brian Steffen underwent an emergency heart transplant in Colorado.  

According to a Facebook post on March 12, Steffen stated that he was in need of a new heart after a month and a half of his heart function declining. 

“The doctors, however, have now concluded that my heart is failing and that without a heart transplant I will likely not live long,” Steffen wrote. “I now begin a process of waiting for an acceptable heart that functions with Type O blood. I don’t know how long this waiting process will take. It could take a few days. It could take a few months. Being a tall man, I have to wait for a heart from a person who is approximately my size.” 

Two weeks prior to his post, Steffen was admitted to the University of Colorado Health outside Denver while visiting his family. On his flight departing back to Des Moines, he experienced shortness of breath and was wheeled off the plane. He returned to a family member’s house, and after just a few hours, decided it would be best to go to the hospital. 

His wife, Sharon Steffen, shared an update on March 25. She wrote: “Brian received a heart transplant yesterday. Everything went very well. It will take a few days before he is free enough from the sedation to respond to anyone but, rest assured, he is fighting hard, and the new heart is pumping!”

It could take Steffen two to four weeks to recover in the hospital, and even after his release, he must stay in Colorado for follow-up appointments. He stated it may not be until summer before he can travel home to Des Moines. 

According to Mayo Clinic, 90% of successful heart transplant recipients report minimal setbacks in daily life, higher energy levels and the ability to resume travel and exercise. However, it requires lifelong maintenance of immunosuppression and the avoidance of infection risks.

In a statement issued to The Simpsonian, Dean of Academic Affairs CoryAnne Harrigan stated her gratitude and compassion for Steffen, a long-time friend and colleague. 

“We are so grateful that a suitable donor heart came through for him last week,” Harrigan wrote. “While he’s facing a long recovery, everyone at Simpson looks forward to his return to Iowa (and to social media!). Brian’s heart is huge and goes way beyond the physical and literal dimensions that he and his family must focus on for the time being. Please keep him in your thoughts and reflect the love he has for this college back to him as he heals.” 

Steffen retired just last May after 36 years in Simpson’s communications and journalism department, where he served as a professor, advisor, and department chair. 

Steffen was originally set to retire this spring, but after facing health concerns in 2025, he and his wife decided it would be in his best interest to retire a year early. 

In March of 2025, Steffen faced a lung infection that became increasingly problematic, resulting in his cancellation of classes for approximately a week. Following his return, he was forced to reduce office hours and sporadically cancel classes throughout the rest of the semester for follow-up appointments. 

During one of those appointments, it was found that Steffen had unknowingly had a severe heart attack. Following this finding, on April 3, 2025, he announced to his classes that he would be retiring the next month. 

However, just days later, after gathering a second opinion and sorting through the confusion, he told students that it was not as severe as originally thought and that he was cleared to finish his last month of teaching. 

In his recent Facebook post, he compared the decline in his heart’s function to be similar to what he suffered a year ago.

In an interview with The Simpsonian last year, Steffen stated that he planned to spend his retirement doing what he loved most: traveling.

“My wife and I love travel, and so we’re going to do that probably next year,” Steffen said last spring. “I want to spend eight weeks in some market town in the Midlands and just hang out and read all day and go down to the pub and have a pint and read a book.”

Born in West Des Moines, he received his master’s and bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University and his doctorate from the University of Iowa. He went on to work for the Iowa State Daily, the Story City Herald, and the Ames Daily Tribune and served as an editor for the Associated Press. 

Beginning his career at Simpson in 1989, he was one of the longest-serving faculty members prior to his retirement. 

He helped build the Simpson communications department and thoroughly enjoyed his three and a half decades at Simpson College. He touched the lives of many students who walked through his office and classroom doors. 

The Simpsonian staff is keeping Steffen in our thoughts and well wishes. 

At this time, Steffen asks that people refrain from sending flowers, gifts, and cards to avoid the risk of infection. He suggests a friendly Facebook comment or personal message will do just fine.