Andrew J. Beiswanger

Andrew J. “AJ” Beiswanger, 61, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on September 12, 2026, following an almost two-year journey with advanced metastatic lung cancer.

Born in Indianapolis on March 21, 1965, AJ was a quiet, intelligent and deeply kind man. He didn’t need to be the loudest person in the room. He was much more likely to be the one listening—and really listening. His patience, thoughtfulness and ability to simply be there for people made him a trusted colleague, a good friend and someone others knew they could count on.

AJ spent an extraordinary 45 years at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, a career that began while he was still in high school.

He started at the newly established Oral Health Research Institute as a research laboratory technician. What began as a high school job grew into a lifelong career. After many years with the Oral Health Research Institute, AJ moved to the Department of Dental Materials. As technology became an increasingly important part of dentistry and the school’s work, AJ evolved right along with it, eventually transitioning into information technology and later clinical IT.

As a Clinical Systems Specialist, AJ contributed his knowledge and expertise to the Offices of Clinical Affairs and Dental Informatics and Digital Health. His remarkable ability to learn, adapt and solve problems made him an invaluable resource, but it was his patience and willingness to help that colleagues remembered most.

After 45 years of service, AJ officially retired from the Indiana University School of Dentistry on August 31, 2026.

Outside of work, AJ was endlessly curious. He was an avid reader whose interests covered an enormous range of subjects, with a particular fascination for military history and World War II. He also loved music and listened to a wide variety of genres.

Motorcycles were part of AJ’s life almost from the beginning. His father had a motorcycle when AJ was growing up, and AJ carried that enthusiasm into adulthood, becoming a motorcycle owner and lifelong enthusiast himself. One of his favorite ways to spend a beautiful day was riding his motorcycle through the countryside, simply enjoying the road and the ride.

And then there were the Detroit Lions.

AJ was a devoted Lions fan from childhood, remaining loyal through seasons that gave him plenty of opportunities to prove just how devoted he really was. Through thick and thin—and there was certainly plenty of “thin”—AJ stayed faithful to his team.

AJ was also, by nature, a homebody. He was perfectly content being at home, but when his wife Margie planned a vacation, he was happily along for the adventure. Together they enjoyed many vacations, including several Caribbean cruises. AJ’s favorite cruise was along the East Coast and up to Nova Scotia.

Many of those adventures were shared with Margie’s sister Kathy, her husband Kirk, and their son Lawson. The five of them weren’t simply relatives who occasionally vacationed together. Margie, AJ, Kathy, Kirk and Lawson considered themselves their own “family of five,” sharing many Airbnbs, cruises, holidays, experiences, laughter and memories that became an important part of their lives together.

Perhaps no role brought out AJ’s playful side quite like being an uncle. His nieces and nephews were the apple of his eye, and he thoroughly enjoyed being the fun uncle—the one who played computer games, Xbox and Wii, built thousands of LEGO sets, let the kids use tools and spent time doing the things that created memories they would carry with them. Being their uncle brought him tremendous joy.

Then there was Penelope.

When Margie first brought home their sweet rescue pup, AJ made his position perfectly clear: getting a dog had been Margie’s idea, and he had absolutely no intention of taking care of her.

Penelope had other plans.

Better known around the house as Miss P or Peanut, she quickly wrapped AJ around her paw. Before long, the two were joined at the hip, and Penelope became his constant companion. So much for not wanting a dog.

AJ shared nearly 30 years of marriage and 32 years together with his wife, Margie. Their life as a couple was made up not only of the big adventures and vacations, but of the countless ordinary days, inside jokes and familiar routines that become a life when two people spend more than three decades side by side.

AJ’s cancer diagnosis came despite the fact that he had never smoked. During his illness, he became passionate about encouraging others to pay attention to their lung health and to talk with their healthcare providers about whether lung screening was appropriate for them. It was important to AJ that others not assume lung cancer only happens to people who smoke.

AJ was preceded in death by his father, Bradley Beiswanger.

He is survived by his wife, Margie; his mother, Carole Arnold; his brothers, Marc and Ben; his grandmother, Inez Beiswanger; his aunt, Ginger (Jerry) Brickey; his cousins Brian (Sandi) Beiswanger, Bert (Alex) Beiswanger, Brian Ganshorn, and Angie (Chris) Collings; his nieces Autumn, Gigi and Rachel; his nephews Lawson, Jack, Sam, Bailey, Cole and Reese; his mother-in-law, Marsha Altwies; and his brother-in-law, Gregory Stewart.

AJ lived much of his life quietly. But a quiet life should never be mistaken for a small one.

For 45 years, he contributed his intelligence and talents to a place that grew and changed alongside him.

He was a devoted son, brother, husband and uncle.

He listened more than he talked.

He was kind.

Those are the things that made AJ, AJ.

And those are the things that will be missed.

A private celebration of AJ’s life will be held for family at a later date.

Those wishing to honor AJ’s memory may make a contribution to the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center or Accent Care Hospice.