SR0133 LRB096 11882 GRL 22899 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Rev. Dr. Edward William Bergstraesser of
4 Oak Park, who passed away on February 25, 2009; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Edward Bergstraesser was born on June 13, 1935; he
6 earned his undergraduate degree from Elmhurst College in 1956;
7 he went on to earn his Master of Divinity degree from the Union
8 Theological Seminary in 1960 and his Doctor of Ministry degree
9 from the Oberlin School of Theology/Vanderbilt Divinity School
10 in 1969; he also received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree
11 from Elmhurst College in 1991; and
 
12     WHEREAS, During and after his graduate studies, Edward
13 Bergstraesser served with urban churches in Ohio and Chicago
14 and suburban churches in Rhode Island, Elmhurst, and Oak Park;
15 he retired in 2000 after 20 years of service as senior pastor
16 of the First United Church of Oak Park; and
 
17     WHEREAS, After his retirement, Edward Bergstraesser and
18 his wife remained in Oak Park and became active volunteers; the
19 couple volunteered for the Advocate Health Care System, the
20 Community Renewal Society of Chicago, and the Lifelink
21 Corporation in Bensenville; Mr. Bergstraesser was also an
22 active member of the Elmhurst College Alumni Association and

 

 

SR0133 - 2 - LRB096 11882 GRL 22899 r

1 the National Church Associates of the UCC; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Edward Bergstraesser is survived by his beloved
3 wife of 48 years, Carole; his sons, Edward and Paul (Michelle);
4 his grandchildren, Amy, Jenna, and William; and his sister,
5 Betty (Dan) Peters; therefore, be it
 
6     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
7 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
8 his family and friends, the passing of Rev. Dr. Edward William
9 Bergstraesser; and be it further
 
10     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11 presented to the family of Edward Bergstraesser as an
12 expression of our sympathy.