In Memoriam: Vic Siegel

Former Tri-Cities Blackhawsk player Vic Siegel died last month.

Biography

Obituary from QC Times

DAVENPORT - Victor A. Siegel, 96, of Davenport, passed away on Friday, July 7, 2017, at home.

He was born on August 24, 1920, in Davenport to Arthur W. Siegel and Selma E. L. Siegel. He married Jane E. Robinson on October 24, 1946 in Melrose Highlands, Massachusetts.

Vic attended Davenport Public Schools (Monroe Elementary, West Intermediate, and Davenport High School). He graduated from Davenport High School in 1938, and was president of his class. He earned All-State Basketball honors and was elected to the Iowa State High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976. He was a 3-year member of the high school golf team. Recruited by University of Iowa to play basketball, he enrolled in 1938. He played Varsity ball for 3 years and was elected team captain in 1941 and 1942. Selected on All-Big Ten second team in 1942. Selected for All-Decade team for the 1940’s at the University of Iowa. Named University of Iowa Athlete of the Year in 1941. Named Iowa’s Most Valuable Player by WGN radio, Chicago, in 1941. He was also a member of the University of Iowa golf team in 1942.

Vic graduated from college in May of 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in June of 1942. He served aboard several ships including LST 327 in the European Theatre of Operations, delivering troops and supplies from England to Omaha Beach in France.  While serving on LST 327 during an operation, it was disabled by an enemy mine on August 27, 1944, with loss of life of 22 crewmen. He was discharged in Boston on March 1, 1946.  

Vic played professional basketball with Fitchburg, Mass., in the New England League in 1946 and with the Tri Cities Blackhawks (now Atlanta Hawks) in the National Basketball League in 1947.

Employed at International Harvester East Moline Works as a supervisor for 31 years, Vic retired in 1978. He was employed part-time in the pro shops at Emeis and Duck Creek Golf courses for 32 years. Vic was an avid golfer who shot his age or better over 340 times and recorded 6 hole-in-ones. He volunteered as assistant basketball coach at the Friendly House in Davenport and as a basketball and softball coach at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport.  

Vic was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, Jane; daughter, Linda Baldwin, of Golden, Colorado; son, Victor Siegel, Jr. (Elaine), of Tega Cay, South Carolina; son, Mark Siegel (Maricela), of Boerne, Texas; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport.