HR0219 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0219 LRB098 11564 GRL 43862 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert "Bob" Covey of Crystal Lake, who passed away on March 5, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was born on January 21, 1921, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; his parents were Bessie and David Covey; he married Mary Elizabeth Karlen on June 3, 1943, in Madison, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a proud member of the United States Navy, where he served in the Pacific during World War II; he attained the rank of lieutenant and served aboard the USS President Adams; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a member of the McHenry County Bar Association; he was a partner in the law firm of Covey, McKinney, and Powers and a partner in the law firm of Covey and Covey; he was also president and chairman of the Board of First Federal Savings and Loan of Crystal Lake, vice president of First Federal of Chicago, and vice president of Citibank; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey served as the president of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce in 1951 and was a chamber member for 63 years; and

WHEREAS, The Crystal Lake Chamber's Business of the Year Award was established in 2003 in Bob Covey's name; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Bob Covey received the Citizen of the Year Award; in 2009, he received the Crystal Lake Chamber's Carl E. Wehde Award; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was the founding director and president of the Crystal Lake United Way and director and president of the McHenry County United Way; he was also the founding director and president of Crime Stoppers in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey served on the McHenry County Board from 1985 to 1994 and served as co-chairman of the Crystal Lake All America City Campaign; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a 63-year member of the Crystal Lake Lion's Club, where he served as president from 1964 to 1965; he was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the Distinguished Service Award, and the Member of the Year Award for 2003-2004; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey served as the Board of Education President for School District 47 in Crystal Lake from 1951 to 1961 and was the Northern Division Committee Chairman of Junior Achievement of Chicago from 1980 to 1981; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a member of the Crystal Lake Jaycees, where he was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award; he was a member of the Nunda Masonic Lodge; he was a 32nd Degree Mason and the recipient of the Shriners 50-Year Member Award; he was also a member of Napkin Ring for 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Crystal Lake Gala Fourth of July Parade in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a 50-year ticket holder for his beloved University of Wisconsin Badgers; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a member of First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, where he served as chairman of the Board of Directors, chairman of the Governing Board, and taught Sunday School; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Mary Elizabeth Covey; his parents, David and Bessie Covey; and his brother, Paul Covey; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey is survived by his children, Karlen Covey, Kathleen M. Euler, Carol A. Beard, and Christopher G. Covey; his grandchildren, Kelly Breihan, Heather Sorensen, Donald Donner, Regan Bruski, John Euler, Michael Euler, Celeste Sollenberger, Dwight Beard and Clayton Beard; and his 21 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a true gentleman who loved his family, his community, his church, his friends, traveling, and playing bridge; and

WHEREAS, Bob Covey was a community leader and philanthropist who left a priceless legacy for the people of Crystal Lake and McHenry County; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bob Covey and 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 the family of Bob Covey as an expression of our deepest sympathy and most sincere appreciation of his community spirit.