The City of Bettendorf’s 4th of July festivities will kick off with a parade, which will be led by a community leader and volunteer.
Bob Gallagher Sr. has been selected at the Bettendorf Fourth of July Parade’s grand marshal, city officials announced on Thursday, June 20. He was nominated by his son, Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4. The procession begins at the intersection of 23rd Street and State Street and will go east on State, curve around to Grant Street, west on Grant to 16th Street, turning south on 16th, east on State Street, and ending at 21st Street.
“It is an honor and privilege to nominate my father,” said Mayor Gallagher. “In addition to his service to our community as a well-respected, ethical, legal leader, Bob has served our community in many different and varying ways, never looking for attention. No plaques hang on the walls in his office to evidence the mountain of accolades he has received. He simply looks for the next opportunity to provide his time and talents for the betterment of our community.”
Mr. Gallagher Sr. moved to Bettendorf in 1970 after graduating from Iowa Law School. He has been in the private practice of law in the Iowa Quad Cities for more than 55 years with his principal office in Bettendorf since 1987. For 54 of those years, he has been peer-rated by Martindale-Hubbel, AV – a designation for the highest in ethical standards and legal ability.
“Bob believes that the practice of law is a calling and he continues to serve clients well past retirement age as a result,” Mayor Gallagher added.
The senior Mr. Gallagher has been a leader in the regional legal industry. He served as assistant county attorney, once based at Bettendorf City Hall, from 1970-1978. He served the Scott County Bar Association Board of Directors from 1982-1987 and was the president of the Bar in 1986-1987, according to the city.
In addition to his service within the legal industry, he served on the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors for many years and was Chamber president in 1988. For his tireless volunteer efforts, he was awarded the Sheldon Sitrick Award in 1993. This award is reserved for those who provide extraordinary leadership and distinguished service to Bettendorf.
Bob has also been an active member of the Bettendorf Rotary Club for 47 years and was the Club’s President in 1986-1987. He served on the City’s Planning & Zoning Commission for more than 39 years – most of those years as chairman. Once his son was elected mayor, he moved to the City’s Board of Adjustment, where he has served for the past 12 years as chairman.
Bob was a founding member of the Bettendorf Development Corporation and has been part of that group for more than 30 years. He was elected to serve on the Eastern Iowa Community College Board of Directors in 1991, and continues to win elections to serve on the board, serving as chairman since 2005.
There is still time to enter the parade. The entry fee is $20 until the first deadline on Sunday, June 23. Go here for more information on the parade.
