SR0748 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert "Bob" Popovich, who passed away on November 18, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Robert Popovich was born on November 21, 1931 in East Chicago, Indiana; he graduated from Ball State University in 1954 with a degree in Business Education and Business Administration; he was Vice-President of the Senior Class and a founding member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and played varsity baseball and tennis; he later earned a master's degree from the University of Chicago and served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956; he married Elizabeth C. McArthey-Nantell in 1955; and

WHEREAS, Robert Popovich began his teaching career at Thornwood Fractional High School in Calumet City; he was a guidance counselor at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor and a guidance director at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana; he was the founding President of both the Illinois and Indiana School Counselors' Association and officiated both high school and college basketball games; he was an adjunct instructor at Indiana University and taught psychology at McHenry County College from 1968 until his retirement in 1992; he was recognized as a "teacher of the year" many times throughout his career; and

WHEREAS, Robert Popovich also worked as a real estate broker in McHenry, earning multiple top awards over the years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Popovich spent much of his retirement advocating for better services for those with brain injuries; he helped establish the McHenry County Brain Injury Task Force, served as a resource on various advisory committees at the Rehab Institute of Chicago, and served as a Vice-President of the Illinois Brian Injury Association; and

WHEREAS, Robert Popovich is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his children, Marcia (Tom) Munn, David (Haleema), Jeffery, Thomas, Nancy E. Popovich, and Scott (Jerly); his grandchildren, David, Sarah, Rachel, Jack, Julia, Jillian, Keirsten, and Joshua; his sister, former Indiana State Senator Rose Ann Antich; his nephew, March Antich; and thousands of former students; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert "Bob" Popovich, 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 Robert Popovich as an expression of our deepest sympathy.