Andrew Streifel, 77, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2026. Andy was born on October 24, 1948, in Huron, South Dakota, and was very grateful for the life he lived. Andy received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in August 2024. He fought hard, had a lot of peace, and would often say, “Today is a good day to die.”

Andy loved to travel, cook and eat good food, garden, watch birds…especially eagles, run along River Road in his early years, engage in conversation, and spend time with his family and friends. Andy met Barbara 72 years ago when they started kindergarten in Huron, South Dakota. They shared many experiences growing up and reconnected in the Twin Cities in 1970. In 1972, they were married in the mountains of Austria in a chapel built by Andy’s great-grandfather. Andy and Barbara honeymooned around Europe with their family and friends and sealed their love for each other and travel.  

Andy dedicated his life to public service in the field of Hospital Infection Control. He moved from South Dakota to finish college at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences and began working at the University of Minnesota. In 2022, he received the APIC-SHEA Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Field of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, where they noted: “Streifel is one of the most highly regarded environmental specialists in the country, if not the world. Throughout his career he has been called upon by his peers and colleagues when vulnerable patients were sickened or at risk from environmental challenges in the healthcare setting including water, air, and conditions from natural disasters. He has traveled the globe to make sure the world is a cleaner, safer place for patients and healthcare workers.”

His legacy impacted more people than we can even imagine. Andy traveled to teach and train hospital staff, the carpenters' union, and other professionals on the guidelines that he contributed to, which helped improve patient safety in the healthcare environment. These professional guidelines include ASHE, ASRA (FGI Guidelines), CDC, and APIC.  

Andy is preceded in death by his father, George Streifel of Huron, South Dakota. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his children: Kimberly Reeves (Steven), Kevin Streifel, Karin Streifel (Neal Gallagher), and Jon Anderson (Virginia); and grandchildren: Sofia and Mason Reeves, Emalyn, Cora, and Eloise Streifel, Georgina, Livia, and Mikaela Gallagher, and Aaron, Josh, Avery, and Jackie Anderson. Andy is an only child who is survived by his mother, Maria Streifel.

In lieu of flowers, the family set up the Andrew J. Streifel Memorial Scholarship to continue Andy’s dedication to students, the University of Minnesota, and public health. Donations can be made online (https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/yourgift.html?&cart=26258) or by check made payable to: University of Minnesota Foundation, P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266. Please include the name of the fund on the check.

A Celebration of Andy’s Life will be held on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, from 12pm - 3pm in the Marvella Clubroom located at 2190 Hillcrest Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55116.

Andy is greatly missed, and we will always remember him through a good meal, the planting of vegetables in the garden, or the sighting of an eagle. We encourage you all to do the same.