SR1708 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1708 LRB099 21249 MST 46761 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Donald Lee Zimmerman, who passed away on March 22, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Donald Zimmerman was born in Mason City on August 20, 1929; he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University and earned his master's degree in music education from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Donald Zimmerman spent most of his career teaching music in Knoxville and Rockford; he also was an orchestra teacher at West High School and Guilford High School; and

WHEREAS, Donald Zimmerman was active in the Rockford music scene, playing trombone in jazz bands; he was the founder of the Rockford Chamber Orchestra and the Rockford Area Youth Symphony Orchestra (RAYSO); a joy of his life was spending summers with his family teaching music at the Amherst Summer Music Camp in Maine; after retiring from teaching, his passion turned to home building, designing some of the most creative homes in the Rockford area; he and his wife spent many winters at the Vineyards in Naples, Florida, where he enjoyed golf and made many wonderful friends; and

WHEREAS, Donald Zimmerman was co-founder of The Golden Apple Award, given to recognize excellence in teaching; and

WHEREAS, Donald Zimmerman was a member of the University Club, the Rockford Country Club, and the Rotary Club (Cherry Valley), where he received a Service Above Self award; he was incredibly proud of his family and was always planning the next "Zimmfest" to bring the family together in many great places, including Green Lake, Colorado, Florida, and Jamaica; and

WHEREAS, Donald Zimmerman was preceded in death by his sons, David and Steven; his parents; and a brother and sister; and

WHEREAS, Donald Zimmerman is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty; his children, Douglas (Joyce) and Brad (Julia); his daughters-in-law, Arlene (Manuel) and Martha; his grandchildren, Carrie Nicholas (Jeremy), Nicholas Zimmerman (Suzanne), Keegan Zimmerman, Ashley Schwabero (Matt), Tyler Zimmerman (Kelly), Colin Zimmerman, Rachael Zimmerman, Preston Zimmerman, David Zimmerman, Allison Zimmerman, and Lindsey Zimmerman; and his great-grandchildren, Kason, Wyatt, Everett, Gwendolyn, Kaia, Caroline, Aubrey, and Wesson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Donald Lee Zimmerman, 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 Donald Zimmerman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.