SR0731 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0731 LRB096 21771 KXB 39615 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of our colleague and friend, former Illinois State Senator Richard "Dick" Klemm of Crystal Lake; and

WHEREAS, Richard Oren "Dick" Klemm was born May 5, 1932 in Chicago to Oren and Edythe (Neilsen) Klemm; he married Nancy Havrilka on April 3, 1993 in Springfield; as a youth, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, He was a graduate of Purdue University and was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1955 until 1962, he also served in the Air Force Reserves; he was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1980-1993 and the Illinois Senate from 1993 until his retirement on February 10, 2003; and

WHEREAS, While in the Illinois Senate, he served as Chairman of the prestigious Senate Executive Committee, and served on the Local Government, Elections, and the Commerce and Industry Committees; in addition, he served as Co-Chairman of the Legislative Printing Unit; and

WHEREAS, Prior to serving in the Illinois House, he was elected to positions in Nunda Township, served as the president of the District 46 Board of Education, was elected to the McHenry County Board and then served as Chairman, passing the first developer donation ordinance to preserve farmland and control growth, and he was Chairman of the first McHenry County Economic Development Committee; and

WHEREAS, He was recognized by countless community service organizations for his civic contributions; in 1972, he purchased F.W.E. (Food Warming Equipment Company); F.W.E. was founded in the late 1940s by his father; Senator Klemm operated F.W.E. as President until selling the company in 2005 to his close friend and business partner, Deron Lichte; he assumed the role of chief executive officer and chairman of the board until his passing; recognized for his innovation, he received five U.S. patents; and he oversaw the move of F.W.E. manufacturing from Elk Grove Village to Crystal Lake in 1982, as well as several expansions of the manufacturing facility; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Former Senator Richard Klemm is survived by his beloved wife of 17 years, Nancy; his four sons, James (Tammy) Skerston, Jack (Lori) Skerston, Michael Havrilka, and David (Sarah) Havrilka; his three daughters, Susan (Jeff) Johnston, Kaye (Kevin) Krimmel, and Jamie (Dave) Howe; his 17 grandchildren; his sister, DeLoris (Rick) Tull; his niece, Debbie Hoffman; and his nephew, Charles Gauger; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his friends, family, and former constituents, the passing of former State Senator Richard "Dick" Klemm; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of former State Senator Richard "Dick" Klemm as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.