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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of the Very Reverend Dr. Keith Richard
4Roderick of Springfield, who passed away on March 11, 2014; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Father Roderick was born in Springfield on
6February 26, 1953 to Donald and Joanne (nee Spring) Roderick;
7he graduated from Belevidere High School in 1971 and enlisted
8in the Illinois Air National Guard (183rd Fighter Wing); he
9later served as a reservist in the United States Navy; he
10married Mary Beth Hansen on June 29, 1974 in Springfield and
11earned his bachelor's degree from Sangamon State University in
121976; in 1980, he earned his Master's in Divinity from the
13University of Dubuque; he furthered his studies at Nashotah
14House Seminary in 1986; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Father Roderick spent many years preaching in the
16Episcopal Church, serving at St. James' in Marion, St.
17Stephen's in Harrisburg, St. James' in McLeansboro, St.
18George's in Macomb, and St. Andrew's in Carbondale; in 2013, he
19was invested as provost of the Episcopal Cathedral in
20Springfield; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Father Roderick was an educated scholar in
22addition to his ministering; he published articles in several

 

 

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1high-profile journals, testified as an expert witness for
2multiple congressional committees, and consulted on human
3rights issues with 2 U.S. presidents; in 1998, he was appointed
4dean of Spoon River College in Macomb, where he also taught
5Philosophy and World Religions; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Father Roderick had many passions in his life; he
7traveled to some of the most dangerous places in the world in
8order to serve the oppressed and vulnerable and fight for the
9rights of people living under religious and political
10persecution; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Father Roderick enjoyed spending his spare
12moments with his wife, digging through dusty archives and muddy
13cemeteries on genealogical adventures; he was also a great fan
14of the Thin Man movies; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Father Roderick is survived by his children, Seth
16(Lacey) Roderick, Micah (Amy) Roderick, Noah (Charish)
17Roderick, Sarah (Jack) Fitch, Joseph (Rachel) Roderick, and
18Susannah Roderick; his foster child, Malyn (Ahmed) Vasty; his
19grandson, Quinn Roderick; his wife, Mary Beth Roderick; his
20parents, Joanne Roderick and Donald (Tish) Roderick; his
21brother, Blake (Betsy) Roderick; his sister, Pam Roderick; his
22step-sisters, Catherine (Kyle) Alexander and Elizabeth
23Bassler; and by several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3the Very Reverend Dr. Keith Richard Roderick, and extend our
4sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
5and loved him; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Father Roderick as an expression of
8our deepest sympathy.