SR0319 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0319 LRB094 13095 HSS 47945 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Robert E. "Bob" Nelson of Marion on Friday, July 8, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He was born in De Kalb County, Indiana, on March 15, 1914, to Erwin and Orpha (Moore) Nelson; he earned a bachelor's degree in general forestry from Michigan State University in 1936 and spent his entire career as a forester in the states of Michigan, Arkansas, and Illinois; he retired in 1976 as an associate extension forester with the rank of assistant professor from the University of Illinois with headquarters at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson valiantly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1941 until the time of his honorable discharge in 1946; at the time of his discharge he held the rank of captain in the Signal Corps; he was decorated with a Bronze Star Medal and a European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal; he was involved in battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe; and

WHEREAS, Following his discharge from the military, he was united in marriage to Jeanne Light on March 14, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas; together they shared more than 36 years of marriage until her death on April 6, 1982; and

WHEREAS, He was a charter member of Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development Area from the time of its organization by the USDA in 1968; he served as the organization's volunteer treasurer from 1995 until 2005 and was chair of the Forestry Committee from 1977 until 1995; he has held a membership in the Society of American Foresters for over 50 years; he also served on the Williamson County Soil and Water Board and the University of Illinois Extension; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Robert E. "Bob" Nelson has been deeply felt by many, especially his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Stan Applegate; his nieces and nephews, Paula Jones, Debbie Dobrovodsky, Diane Rae, Douglas Bultemeyer, and Gary and Nancy Applegate; his many great-nieces; his great-nephew; and his many longtime friends; he was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sister, Carma Bultemeyer; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert E. "Bob" Nelson, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.