Albert R. Van Tieghem Sr.

1927 - 2025

Albert R. Van Tieghem Sr.

September 1, 1927 - December 28, 2025

Albert R. Van Tieghem, Sr., 98, of East Moline, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Park Vista, East Moline.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, on Friday, January 2, 2026. Following the visitation, a Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am at Our Lady of Grace Parish at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline. Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Belgium Cultural Center.

Al was born in Moline on September 1, 1927, the son of Belgium immigrants, Clement Van Tieghem and Martha Derammeraere Van Tieghem. He attended St. Anne's Catholic School, Sacred Heart Catholic School, and graduated in 1945 from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Rock Island.

He began his musical career at the age of fourteen, playing trumpet in local bands and briefly with Lawrence Welk in 1945. He joined the Musician Union in 1942.

During his military service in WW II, he played with the Great Lakes Band and USO shows on the West coast before transferring to Pearl Harbor (1945/46) where he played with Ray Anthony's Navy Band. He also served in the Navy in the Korean War in 1950/51.

He was employed by Farmall Works from 1946 to 1957, then with Moline Iron Works 1957 to 1961. He studied Accounting and Taxes at Augustana College Night School for 5 ½ years. In 1955, he started his Accounting/Tax practice part time on his "Ping Pong Table" in the basement of his home. In 1961, his practice became full time in East Moline until his retirement in 1997 when he sold the practice to his son Rick. Al has said that the success of his Accounting and Tax practice was due in large part to his loyal staff and loyal clients.

In 1948, he married Ruth Elaine Lambrick, (deceased in 1994), and had five children, Nancy, Carol, Diane, Rick, and Bob, 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. In 1996, he married Bette Debo Williams and they moved to Sarasota, Florida in 2002.

He was president of the National Society of Public Accountants- 1975/1976 (22,000 members) He was a noted lecturer on Tax and Accounting for 10 years, traveling the entire U.S. and Internationally. He was an Enrolled Agent to practice before the IRS, Licensed Public Accountant in Iowa, and Accredited Tax Advisor. He was a co-founder of the "Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Tax", a National Accreditation Organization.

He was Treasurer of the East Moline/Silvis Community Chest, President of the East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club, and recipient of 3 Paul Harris Awards. He was Rotarian of the year in 2006.

He was appointed to the IRS Commissioner's Advisory Board by President Carter in 1978, one of 16 civilian advisors to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner.

Al was one of the original Board of Directors of The Mark, beginning in 1984 for 16 ½ years and the first Treasurer for 14 ½ years. Al's pride and joy is The Mark, and in his own words, "My legacy in the Quad Cities". He has written a book of the history of The Mark, entitled "They said it couldn't be done". He says with confidence, "We did it".

He was a member of Short Hills C. C. for over 40 years. He played in 15 Quad City Pro-Ams. He participated in Midlothian Pater-Filius tournaments with his sons for 56 consecutive years, playing his last tournament at age 92. Golf to Al was a personal sport. As he said, "The game is between him, the club, and the Ball". Don't forget the "Tee".

Al was a person who believed in himself. He accomplished many things. He was known for his ethics and reputation. He was President of the East Moline/Silvis Chamber of Commerce for 2 years. He taught at MIC and AIC Business College and Blackhawk Jr. College. He served the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society as Treasurer and the Bix Beiderbecke Museum and Archives as Treasurer in Davenport.

Upon his retirement in 1997, Al ran off and joined the Circus. His involvement covered the Sarasota Bay. Al has been Treasurer, Financial Advisor and Consultant since 1999. He volunteered as a clown, usher, and was on the board for many years. Al was known as "Mr. Al", the clown. As a clown he was a friend to all. He has served as the Ring Master for Circus Sarasota, a one ring Circus of International Renown.

In Al's own words, "He is the luckiest man in the world to have had two wonderful, understanding ladies in his life and a family that cares".

Al is survived by his children, Nancy (Gary) Frye, Carolyn (Steve) Haines, Diane Dryden, Albert "Rick" (Brenda) Van Tieghem Jr., and Bob (Judy) Van Tieghem; grandchildren, Casey Moran, Meggan Ehret, Heather Roseman, Bob Haines, Ben Haines, Chad Dryden, Jennifer Epping, Jared Van Tieghem, Alex Van Tieghem, and Stephanie Van Tieghem; 18 great grandchildren; step-daughter, Wendy (Kent) Schliech; and step-granddaughter, Emily Schliech. He was preceded in death by both spouses; parents; sister, Helen Riley; and great-grandson, Kyle Roseman.

Online condolences may be left to Al's family at www.vanhoe.com.

Van Hoe Funeral Home

1500 6th Street East Moline, Illinois 61244

309-755-1414