HR0920LRB102 28601 LAW 40482 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Richard
4L. "Coach Van" Van Scyoc, who passed away on August 5, 2022;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Van Scyoc was born on March 30, 1924; he
7was the youngest of five siblings; he attended Eureka High
8School, where he made the honor roll, earned varsity letters
9in three sports as a Hornet, and gained the nickname "Lefty"
10from teammates; he served his country during World War II; he
11returned in 1945 and attended Illinois Wesleyan University,
12where he competed on the Titans' baseball team as its number
13one ace and left-handed pitcher; he married Mary Kathryn
14"Fuzz" Frerichs, and they had two daughters before she
15preceded him in death in 1976; he later married Karen Storey in
16June 1978, and they enjoyed 44 years together, including time
17spent with their two sons; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Richard Van Scyoc always knew he wanted to play
19ball and coach; he began his career at Armington High School as
20the men's high school basketball coach in 1949, staying for
21three years and creating lasting friendships; he then worked
22at Washington Community High School, where he assumed
23responsibility for the men's basketball program in 1952 and

 

 

HR0920- 2 -LRB102 28601 LAW 40482 r

1also served as athletic director; he led the program for 15
2years and had many successful seasons, defeating some of
3Peoria's top teams and making the quarterfinals at the 1962
4State Tournament; he joined the staff of Peoria Manual High
5School in 1966, taking the helm as the men's head basketball
6coach; he served at Manual High School for 28 years and ended
7his career with 826 wins, becoming the coach with the most wins
8in the history of the State of Illinois; during his 46-year
9career, he took six teams to the state finals while his teams
10became known for their tenacity and mental toughness; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Over the course of his career, Richard Van Scyoc
12was inducted into the Illinois High School Basketball Coaches
13Hall of Fame and the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame; he was
14a member of the Peoria Independent Sports Club and became a
15lifetime member of Significant Sigma Chi; he was honored with
16an endowed scholarship in his name at his alma mater, Illinois
17Wesleyan University, by his friends, family, and former
18ballplayers in 2007; he was also a member of the First United
19Methodist Church of Peoria; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Richard Van Scyoc was happiest on the basketball
21court with his players; when not on the court, he could be
22found with Karen on his sun porch reading a good book or at his
23cabin on Lake Vermilion in Minnesota fishing for walleye; he
24was proud of his family; and
 

 

 

HR0920- 3 -LRB102 28601 LAW 40482 r

1    WHEREAS, Richard Van Scyoc was preceded in death by his
2parents, John and Nettie Mae Stover Van Scyoc; his brothers,
3Harold Van Scyoc, Harmol Van Scyoc, and Frank Van Scyoc; and
4his sisters, Ethel Blunier and Mary Van Scyoc; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Richard Van Scyoc is survived by his wife, Karen
6Van Scyoc; his daughters, Gwen (Chuck) Westendorf and Jan
7(Bob) Bogle; his sons, Steve (Cheryl) Van Waes and Dan
8(Jennifer) Van Waes; his grandchildren, Joy, Tiffany, Julie,
9Stacy, Leah, Clifton, and Laine; and his eight
10great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
12HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13we mourn the passing of Richard L. "Coach Van" Van Scyoc and
14extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all
15who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Richard Van Scyoc as an expression
18of our deepest sympathy.