HR0835 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0835 LRB103 40974 ECR 74053 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Robert "Bob" Redfern on the occasion of his 100th birthday on July 16, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern was born to Mac and Hazel Redfern in Burlington, Iowa on July 16, 1924; he and his family relocated to Galesburg, Illinois after his father began working for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy (CB&Q) Railroad; he attended school in Galesburg, graduating in 1942; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern handled mail and baggage for the CB&Q Railroad at the Galesburg Depot until he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on April 9, 1943, where his duties included working with the base engineers through completing survey work and building and maintaining airstrips and other base construction projects in Burtonwood, England; and

WHEREAS, After recovering from a serious injury incurred in the line of duty, Bob Redfern was honorably discharged at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado on January 24, 1946, although he later served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from January 1949 through October 1952; for his service, he earned the rank of private first class and was awarded the American Theater EAME Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern joined the Standard Oil Company in 1946, where he worked until October 1955; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern married Audrey Burch on November 29, 1947, and together they had two children, Lindsey and Steve, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern began working for the Galesburg Fire Department in November 1955, serving at Central Station for seven years before spending the remainder of his career at the Brooks Street Station, retiring in July 1979; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern also provided his military experience in surveying to Galesburg-based engineering firm Bruner, Cooper & Zuck Inc. in various capacities for over 40 years; and

WHEREAS, After retirement, Bob Redfern and his wife enjoyed traveling, especially to Royal Air Force (RAF) Burtonwood Airbase reunions celebrated abroad in England and Germany and domestically at various air bases in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern is a skilled carpenter who loves helping friends with building projects; he is also an excellent woodworker who has put his exceptional skills on display through completing many cabinet and fine wood furniture projects; and

WHEREAS, Bob Redfern is an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Bears; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Robert "Bob" Redfern on the occasion of his 100th birthday, and we thank him for his military service to the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to Bob Redfern as a symbol of our esteem and respect.