Bob VanderLinden was born in Eddyville, Iowa, and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1947. During his high school career he participated in football, basketball, and track. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors in football. After graduation Bob attended Central College receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1951. He was an All-Conference performer in football and was awarded the Schilder Outstanding Football Player Award in 1950. He served in the Korean War as a member of the United States Marines. Bob played football and baseball while serving in the Marines. Bob began his teaching and coaching career in Lohrville, Iowa in 1953-54 where he taught all subjects even though his main area was social studies. He coached football, basketball, track and baseball. He moved to Garden Grove in 1954 and taught there until 1956. Bob coached football, basketball, track and baseball. From 1956 to 1965 Bob taught at Ankeny High School. He served as a football and track coach for nine years as well as 3 years as a basketball coach. He started the wrestling program serving as the coach for 3 years. Bob moved from Ankeny to Ottumwa High School serving as the head football coach and athletic director as well as an assistant track coach. He came to Lincoln High School in Des Moines in 1967 and retired in 1992. During his tenure at Lincoln High School, Bob served as the head football coach for 4 years and the head track coach for 23 years. He also was the assistant athletic director for 12 years and the athletic director for his last five years at Lincoln High School. Bob had many accomplishments during his 37 years as a track coach. His teams won 14 conference championships, 8 runner-up finishes, and five district championships. His 1962 team placed second in both the indoor and outdoor state meets. His 1969 team finished third. He coached 40 all-state individual and relay team performers. Bob also had 5 individual state champions from 1955 to 1988. Bob was honored as the District Coach of the Year in 1982. He served as the Drake Relays referee in 1975 and on the high school jury for the relays from 1975 to 1994. He organized the Ankeny Relays , The Little Abe Relays, and the Lincoln Invitational which now shares his name. He also served for 15 years as the Director of the Special Olympics State Track and Field Meet. Bob had an outstanding record as a football coach as well. He coached four undefeated teams and had a career record of 123 wins, 51 losses, and 5 ties. He was elected to the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1975. Bob married his wife Louise in 1954. They were the proud parents of a daughter and three sons. He was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1994. It is my honor to introduce Louise VanderLinden who will receive the 2000 Hall of Fame award in memory of her husband Bob.
