Lee William Van Voorhis 1934 - 2018

VAN VOORHIS, BOGAARD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/11/2018 at 21:39:02

Sioux City Journal
14 October 2018

Sioux City

Lee William Van Voorhis, 84, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, following several years of failing health. Although his family grieves his loss, they find comfort in the fact that his suffering has come to an end. He spent the last three years of his life with his beloved wife, Ruth, and all four of their children and families, in the Iowa City, Iowa area.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. A luncheon will follow the service.

Lee Van Voorhis was born on April 9, 1934, to Edna and Reginald Van Voorhis, in Storm Lake, Iowa. He completed his undergraduate degree at Iowa State (meeting Ruth in Ames) and then studied medicine at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, ultimately specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. After several years in academic medicine, Dr. Van Voorhis settled into private practice in Sioux City. He dedicated his life to serving the comprehensive needs of his patients, including serving as the volunteer medical director for the local Planned Parenthood, while also volunteering as the medical director of the Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers. Dr. Van Voorhis completed his career as the medical director of St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City.

Lee expressed his generosity of spirit through volunteerism and a lifetime of charitable giving to many Sioux City organizations. He also shared his passion for artistic expression with family and friends alike, playing the piano at his church and for his children's weddings, while also designing and constructing beautiful furniture that graces the homes of his family members and anyone lucky enough to have purchased his contributions to various charity auctions throughout the Sioux City community. Lee and Ruth extended their abiding warm hospitality to a wide variety of people over many decades, including exchange students from France, Brazil and Tanzania, aspiring tennis players and golfers, Viennese choir boys and the First Lady of Tanzania.

Lee was married to Ruth Jean Bogaard on June 29, 1956. Their marriage was long, respectful and loving and has served as an inspiration to all of their children. Together, he and Ruth have been the proud parents of four children, Brad (Toni) Van Voorhis, Laura (Ken) Goddard and Jane Van Voorhis (Kurt Anstreicher) of Iowa City, and Susan (Jim) Bohnenkamp of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Grace (Ben) Maddox, Emily Goddard, Peter Van Voorhis, Garrett (Sophie) Anstreicher, Caroline Van Voorhis, Nathan Goddard, Kate Anstreicher, Rachel Bohnenkamp and Connor Bohnenkamp; and one great-granddaughter, Evelyn Virginia Maddox.

Lee Van Voorhis leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity and a commitment to speaking his truth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, St. Luke's Hospital or the Sioux City Symphony.