SR0832 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert J. Stumm of New Orleans, Louisiana, formerly of Bonita Springs, Florida and Aurora, Illinois, who passed away on May 4, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Robert Stumm was the son of Bernard J. and Jane Stumm; he was raised in Aurora; and

WHEREAS, Robert Stumm graduated from West Aurora High School in 1941 and attended Dartmouth College; he then joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve until his honorable discharge; he graduated from University of Illinois in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Robert Stumm met Dolores Ruddy when they were both teenagers; the couple married in 1947 and settled in Aurora, where they raised their three sons, David, Hans, and Rob; in 1992, the couple left Aurora and moved to Bonita Springs, Florida; in 2005, they moved to Lambeth House in New Orleans just in time for Hurricane Katrina; they were the first evacuees to leave Lambeth House and spent the fall in Chicago with their son, David, at his home; and

WHEREAS, Robert Stumm made a career selling life insurance to his friends and acquaintances; he also dabbled in politics and was Chairman of the Kane County Board of Supervisors during the 1960s; he and his friend, D.V. McWethy, formed McWethy Brothers Insurance, which was sold to Corroon & Black (now Willis) in 1980; shortly afterwards, he retired and began a career as a model, appearing in many advertisements in magazines such as Time, Newsweek, AARP, and Modern Maturity; he also appeared in videos for hospitals and Snapper lawnmowers; and

WHEREAS, Robert Stumm was a member and President of the Aurora Country Club; he was Director of the Home Savings and Loan in Aurora; he was a life member of the Elks Club, Moose Club, Exchange Club, and Union League Club of Chicago; while in New Orleans, he was the oldest member to ever be initiated into The Recess Club; and

WHEREAS, Robert Stumm enjoyed many sports and quit them all; he enjoyed basketball, tennis, hunting, fishing, bicycling, and handball for 50 years; his last bowling match ended memorably, with the ball, shoes, and bag being thrown into the Fox River; he took up flying at age 50 and earned a Private Certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings; he enjoyed many flights with his wife in his Twin Comanche, because none of his friends would fly with him; and

WHEREAS, Robert Stumm is survived by his wife, Dolores; his sister, Eloise Brush; his sons, David (Kathy), Hans (Priscilla), and Rob (Kit); his grandchildren, Jenny Knapp, Brian, David, Jim, and Jack Stumm, Alexandra Pogorelec, Amanda Stumm, and Courtney, Celie, and Sibyl Stumm; and his 16 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Robert J. Stumm; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Stumm as an expression of our sympathy.