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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Harvey John Schweitzer Jr. Ph.D., of
4Champaign, who passed away on March 28, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was born in Malta to Harvey
6Schweitzer Sr. and Anna (Wright) Schweitzer on June 1, 1919; he
7graduated from DeKalb High School, where he was active in 4-H
8and FFA, earning the American Farmer degree in 1937 and serving
9as the national FFA student secretary from 1938 to 1939; he
10graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1946; he earned
11his master's degree in rural sociology and agricultural
12economics from Michigan State University in 1948; he received
13his doctorate in rural sociology from the University of
14Wisconsin in 1958; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer operated his family farm from 1950
16to 1962; during this time, he served as the South Grove
17Township Farm Bureau director, a county school board member,
18and a township director in the Farmers Home Administration; he
19also served on the advisory committee for the Department of
20Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer joined the Agricultural Economics
22Department at the University of Illinois in 1962; he served

 

 

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1first as an extension specialist in rural sociology and later
2as an assistant director of the Cooperative Extension Service
3and in the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station; during his
4last year, he was instrumental in establishing programs in
5rural development and sustainable agriculture; he retired as
6professor emeritus in agricultural economics from the
7Extension Service in 1985 and from the Experiment Station in
81989; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was involved in several
10professional societies and held numerous leadership positions
11in state, regional, and national research and extension
12committees; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was preceded in death by his
14parents; his son, John; a great-granddaughter; and two sisters;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer is survived by his wife, April; his
17children, David (Cathy) Schweitzer, Elaine (Brian) Chaille,
18Jennifer Rojas, John (Kathryn) Byers, and Jeffrey Byers; his
19grandchildren, Krista (Matt) Reimer, Melissa (Nick) Perez,
20Gabe Chaille, Christian Chaille, Elijah Rojas, Melanie Rojas,
21Levi Rojas, Megan Watkins, John Byers, Dean Byers, and Noah
22Byers; and four great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Harvey John Schweitzer Jr. Ph.D., and extend our sincere
4condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
5him; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Dr. Schweitzer as an expression of
8our deepest sympathy.