Mark Anderegg

MARK ROBERT ANDEREGG

Guttenberg

It is not the years in your life but the life in

your years that counts.

Mark Robert Anderegg, 49, died Nov. 19, 2017, in Raleigh, N.C., after battling lung cancer.

Mark was born in Guttenberg, Iowa, to Ardith (Hempeler) and Roger Anderegg, on April 10, 1968. He attended Guttenberg High School, graduating in 1986. Mark earned a bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1990 and a doctor of medicine degree from Georgetown University in 1994. He completed his residency in anaesthesiology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Mark practiced medicine for over 20 years, primarily in California, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina, making friends around the country.

Mark lived life to the fullest and his life was full of love, laughter, kindness and giving. His passion for medicine and travel led him to volunteer on medical missions in Guatemala, and for the past several years Haiti, making a difference while forging lasting friendships as he continued to give back to those less fortunate. In addition to Haiti, Mark's curiosity and sense of exploration led him to travel to Europe, South America, Australia, Asia and throughout the United States, crossing off 48 of the 50 states in his effort to visit them all.

During these trips, Mark would continue to visit friends, old and new alike, and family who were scattered around the world, especially enjoying his time with his sister and her family, most recently living in Singapore. Mark's travels afforded him the opportunity to expand his unique, personal style while shopping in venues around the world, often delighting those around him with stories of these excursions from New York to Des Moines to San Francisco to Singapore and beyond.

While Mark enjoyed exploring the world, his heart was always in Iowa, especially the last week of July when he participated in RAGBRAI 13 times with his beloved friends and family, as captain of Team Sister Girl (or "TSG" as they referred to themselves). The week always was one of the highlights of Mark's year as he could share his love of cycling, friendship, food and exploration. In addition to cycling, Mark enjoyed swimming and skiing, but one of his favorite roles was that of Swim Uncle, cheering on the "nephers" as they competed in swim meets, both around the United States and Asia.

Mark is survived by his father, Roger Anderegg, of Guttenberg; his sister, Donna (Anderegg) and David Schuster; and his nephews, Collin and Connor Schuster, of Singapore.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ardith Anderegg; his paternal grandparents, Rae and Alvina Anderegg; and his maternal grandparents, Arlyn and Lena Hempeler.

Mark also was married briefly to Jason Belk of New York.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mark's memory to the American Cancer Society, EWALU Camp at http://ewalu.org/make-a-gift/ or Fill the Pool at DASH, P.O. Box 1062, Dubuque, IA 52004-1062.

Mark will be remembered for his tenacity, strength and sense of humor that shone brightly through every aspect of his life. His memory will forever be held in the hearts of his family and friends. Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, 207 S. First St., Guttenberg, Iowa.