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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Richard S. Pepper, who passed away on
4January 28, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Richard Pepper was born on June 23, 1930; he
6earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from
7Northwestern University in 1953; he married Roxelyn "Roxy"
8Miller; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Richard Pepper began his career working as an
10estimator for Pepper Construction, which was founded by his
11father Stanley F. Pepper in 1927; he assumed leadership of the
12company at the age of 27 after his father's passing in 1957,
13and he continued in a leadership role until his passing;
14together with his wife, he developed Pepper Construction into
15a nationally recognized construction firm with annual revenues
16exceeding $1 billion, with its headquarters located in Chicago
17and offices in Barrington, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati,
18and Milwaukee; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Richard Pepper held a number of leadership roles,
20including serving as life director to the Associated General
21Contractors of America, as chairman of the Chicago and
22Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters' apprentice

 

 

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1and trainee program, and as trustee and treasurer for the
2council's welfare and pension fund; he joined the John Evans
3Club in 1957, where he served as chair from 1980 to 1983 and
4was named life director at the end of his term; he was a
5founding member of the American Institute of Constructors
6(AIC); he also brought his peers together to form the American
7Contractors Insurance Group (ACIG), which fosters
8collaboration on best practices to increase safety and
9minimize risk; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Alongside his wife, Richard Pepper supported
11several community and educational institutions, including the
12Melody Elementary School, the Northwest Suburban Council of
13the Boy Scouts of America, the Swedish Covenant Hospital
14Foundation, Maryville's Center for Children, the Max McGraw
15Wildlife Foundation, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, the
16Lincoln Park Zoo, and Northwestern University; they endowed
17Northwestern University's undergraduate laboratories in Civil
18and Environmental Engineering; for their efforts, Northwestern
19University dedicated the Civil and Environmental Engineering
20Wing of the Technological Institute to the Peppers in 1998;
21they also endowed the Department of Communication Sciences and
22Disorders; they supported the Athletics Department throughout
23the years and were the lead benefactors of the new baseball
24stadium in 2016, which was named the Rocky and Berenice Miller
25Park in honor of Roxy's parents; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Richard Pepper and his wife were awarded a 2001
2Alumni Medal by the Northwestern Alumni Association; he was
3also the recipient of a 1986 Merit Award and a 1987 Service
4Award; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Richard Pepper was known for his partnership with
6his wife Roxy; together, they were known for their generosity,
7valuing people first, striving to do the right thing no matter
8how difficult, and enjoying life despite the challenges they
9faced; he left an indelible mark on the construction industry,
10and he will be missed; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Richard Pepper was preceded in death by his son
12and former Pepper Construction CEO, Dave Pepper, and his
13daughter-in-law, Katy; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Richard Pepper is survived by his wife of 69
15years, Roxy; his children, Stan (Chris) Pepper, Lynda (Bob)
16Bollman, Richard Pepper, Lisa Pepper, and Scot Pepper; his 18
17grandchildren; and his 18 great-grandchildren; therefore, be
18it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
20ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
21Richard S. Pepper and extend our sincere condolences to his

 

 

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1family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
2further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of Richard Pepper as an expression of
5our deepest sympathy.