It is a time of sorrow for the Dorsey community and for all those who knew Robert (Bob) Josten, who passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022, in Clive, Iowa, at the age of 79. He joined the Firm in 1991, and helped establish the Des Moines office. Bob retired from Dorsey on December 31, 2021.
Bob provided legal advice and counsel to city and county officials related to the issuance of tax-exempt municipal bonds used to finance public infrastructure improvements and economic development projects. In addition to his expertise in the field of tax-exempt bonds, Bob emphasized the importance of using various local government tools and incentives that promote private economic development projects. He provided advice to members of the Iowa General Assembly in drafting and revising state laws that impact economic development, including urban renewal and tax increment financing, property tax abatement and exemptions and special taxing districts.
Bob was very active in the community and served on many boards during his career; he was a member of the Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission, executive director for the League of Iowa Municipalities, and was a member of the board of directors for the National League of Cities.
Bob was also a collector of folk art and local artifacts and commissioned more than 60 works that included office furnishings, quilts, and artwork from Iowa artists. He was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article as saying, “I deal with mounds of paperwork, so I surround myself with color. The folk art offsets the rather mundane and very serious nature of what I do every day. The homespun images ‘really speak to me’. ”
On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, there will be a visitation from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Dunn's Funeral Home (2121 Grand Ave., Des Moines), and a reception from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Embassy Club West (520 Market St., West Des Moines). Read the full obituary here.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Judkins Josten and his daughter, Jennifer Josten, and his stepdaughters, Whitney Judkins and Erin del Ninno.
Our condolences to Bob’s loved ones and the many friends and colleagues who will miss him.