Rob Avon

Robert A. “Rob” Avon, 71, of Davenport, died Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at The Vistas of Bettendorf following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian burial for Rob will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 5, 2024 at Christ the King Chapel on the campus of St. Ambrose University. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport with a time of sharing at 4 p.m. Keeping with Rob’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to establish a memorial at a later date.

Robert Anthony Avon was born on February 28, 1953 in Albia, Iowa, a son of Albert A. and Iogene (Smith) Avon. After his father passed when Rob was in high school, Iogene married Rob’s stepfather, John “Junior” Fall. Rob’s love of sports and desire to become a teacher brought him to St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, where he played several sports, including Football and Baseball before graduating in 1975 with a BA in History/Education. Following graduation, Rob taught religion and coached football and wrestling at The Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute, Peoria, Illinois.

Rob was united in marriage to Margaret “Maggie” Rotherham on October 3, 1981 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Davenport. 

After a year of teaching, Rob decided to move into sales, selling group health insurance at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for several years before moving to the Bartlett Agency. Rob was an incredible salesperson in his career, and with his gift of gab, it was joked that he could “sell ice to an Eskimo.” Before retiring early due to his illness he worked for a brief time at Molyneaux Insurance and American Bank and Trust. 

He was involved in many local organizations during his career including teaching Junior Achievement, the Knights of Columbus, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Friendly House. He coached his girls through Dad’s Club softball and soccer and volunteered with the Challenger Little League. Rob organized fundraising efforts with the Holy Family Booster club to raise funds for a new gymnasium floor, stage mats, electronic scoreboard and electronic school sign. Rob was always willing to jump in and help whenever it was needed. 

Rob always had a smile on his face and loved to make people laugh. Even if it was the first time you met him, he had a way of making you feel right at home. No one was a stranger to Rob. His personality was contagious, and he never took things too seriously, nor did he let things keep him down, even during his long battle with Parkinson’s. He adored his “girls” and his face lit up every time he was with his grandkids.

 Those left to share in his memory are his wife, Maggie, Davenport, daughter, Colleen (Patrick) Havens, Dubuque, and their children Baileigh and Charlie; and Annie Avon (Tyler Nicely), Davenport, and children: Gunner, Bristol, Lennox, and Lainee; siblings: Cliff (Vicki) Avon, Davenport, and Connie (Gary) Holmes, Carroll, Iowa; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tom (Shari) Rotherham, Scottsdale, Arizona, Kit (Steve) Curlee, Blairsville, Georgia, and Betsy (Tony) Ray, Waukee, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the caregivers at The Vistas of Bettendorf for their kindness, support, and care shown to Rob during his illness.