Robert A. "Bob" Van Vooren

Robert Alphonse "Bob" Van Vooren, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully of natural causes at home on Thursday April 23, 2026, surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bob will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed and can be accessed by visiting the following link: Sacred Heart Cathedral YouTube. The family invites you to pray the rosary with them at 8:30 a.m. on Friday in the gathering space at the Cathedral and will greet friends immediately afterwards until Mass begins at 11 a.m. Private family burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Bob was born May 28, 1933 in Moline, Illinois to Fred and Louise Van Vooren. He graduated from Moline High School, where he excelled in scholarship, basketball, baseball, and track. As captain of the basketball team, he led his team to a second-place finish in the state basketball tournament in his senior year, earned all-state honors, and was named to the all-tournament first team. In 1973, Bob was inducted into the Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame and in 2002, he was inducted into the Moline High School Hall of Honor. In 2007, The Illinois High School Basketball Association recognized Bob as one of the 100 “Legends”, in celebration of their 100th year.

Following high school, Bob attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a full basketball scholarship, where he lettered all four years. His freshman year, the team won first place in the All Catholic National Basketball Tournament in New York, where Bob was selected to the all-tournament first team. His senior year, the team was invited to play in the NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked #8 in the nation in the Coaches Poll.

At Marquette, Bob met Barbara Fieweger of Davenport, Iowa and after graduation, they married. After serving two years in the United States Army as a Lieutenant Officer, Bob attended Northwestern University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree. After law school graduation, Barb and Bob returned to the Quad Cities and Bob joined Lane & Waterman law firm where he practiced law from 1960 to 2001.

Bob loved the firm and cherished the collaboration, mentoring, and friendships he developed there over the years. A respected attorney and past president of the Iowa State Bar Association, he was recognized among The Best Lawyers in America and honored with the ISBA Award of Merit, the U.S. Eighth Circuit’s Richard S. Arnold Award for Distinguished Service, and the State of Iowa’s “Pro Bono Publico” Award. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and held leadership positions in multiple professional associations.

Bob’s life revolved around his lovely wife Barb, seven children, 14 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, family, and a wide circle of friends whom he cherished. When his seven children were young, Bob served as their coach in basketball and baseball and as their dedicated chauffeur. He was their biggest cheerleader in their continuous and numerous experiences throughout their lives. Bob gave his kids generously of his time and provided an abundance of diverse activities to help them discover their passions. Bob and Barb were the center of their family’s lives and relished frequent family reunions in Iowa, Florida, and beyond. Every day was like a family reunion in the Van Vooren household. Bob and Barb treasured their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren - and delighted in watching them thrive and grow.

Bob also loved to golf, read, garden, travel, and spend time with extended family and friends.

His dedication to community, philanthropy, and faith was lived through his service and deep involvement with numerous legal, civic, and charitable organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Beyond the legal field, he served on many community and faith-based boards, including St. Ambrose University, the Diocese of Davenport, and several civic, economic, and arts organizations. He was appointed by governors and the Iowa Supreme Court to state commissions devoted to education, justice, and economic development. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he received the Governor’s Volunteer Award and was named a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II.

Bob is survived by his loving children - Scott Van Vooren (Ellen), Mardy Sackley (Chuck), Steph Herold (Doug), Sara Borger (Alan), Guff Van Vooren (Vicki), and Christine Van Vooren (Bob); his son-in-law, John Lasell; his adoring grandchildren - Sarah & Robert Van Vooren, Kelly Sackley, Jenny Jahn (Teddy), Ali Sackley, Amy Nolting (Brandon), Sam Herold (Hanna), Joseph Herold, Alison Kaminski (Mike), Danny Halverson, Nick Halverson (Allison), and Peter & Charlie Lasell; and his cherished great-grandchildren - Aubrey, Nolan, Nash, & Noah Nolting, Remi Kaminski, Beau & Harvey Halverson, and Charlie Jahn.

Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Barb; his parents, Fred and Louise Van Vooren; his sister, Jeanine VanDeVelde; his adoring daughter, Ali Lasell; and his cherished grandson, Thomas Scott Van Vooren.

In lieu of flowers, Bob asked that you consider making a donation to one of the following charities:

● Empowering Abilities (formerly Handicapped Development Center)

● Friends of Vander Veer Park

● Assumption High School

The family extends special recognition to Bob’s health care team - the doctors, nurses, in-home caregivers, and hospice team members - for their superior care and sensitive treatment.