Harold L. Van Voorhis

Harold Van Voorhis, Attorney at Law, passed away on May 28, 2023. A graveside service with military honors for Harold will be held Monday, June 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, Iowa.

Harold was born in Des Moines and graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines. While in high school, he received the ‘Danforth Award’ for the most significant overall contribution to his class.

Harold was a highly accomplished law practitioner, Chief Justice Emeritus, and Constitutional legal educator. His specialties included judicial management; judicial staff management; legal education; criminal, civil, and constitutional law, along with Construction Negotiation; Bankruptcy; Corporate Reorganization Chapter 11; Counsel Bankruptcy; and Uniform Commercial Code. Harold was a former US Trustee in Bankruptcy and served as Des Moines Urban Renewal City Attorney for 3 years. Prior to assuming his Judicial position, he received a 30-year ‘av’ rating with Martindale Hubbell Law Directory.

In addition to being admitted to the Iowa and US Bar, Harold had also been admitted to the US Court of Military Appeals; US Supreme Court; and US District Courts in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. He served as a Judge Advocate General in the US Army Reserve and made the rank of Colonel. Harold was even a former Iowa Liaison for the US Military Academy and JAGC Representative to Drake Law School. He had graduated from the Army Judge Advocate General’s School at the University of Virginia Law School, JAG Staff School, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Harold was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Medal; Korean Defense Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Army Achievement and Meritorious Service Medal.

Some of Harold’s other awards include Drake University Law School’s ‘Esquire’ designation and Omicron Delta Kappa, and the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ from international fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Harold is survived by his sister, Judith Lapp of Buffalo, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his son Coerte, and daughter Krista. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Des Moines.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Van Voorhis family.