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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Raymond "Sonny" George Lohse of Rock
4Island, who passed away on September 21, 2015; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Raymond Lohse was born on July 20, 1923 in
6Davenport, Iowa; his parents were Hugo H. and Lena Avery Lohse;
7he married Grace B. DeSchepper on October 5, 1951; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Raymond Lohse attended Immanuel Lutheran School,
9Rock Island High School, and Augustana College; in 1942, he
10volunteered to enter the armed forces, becoming a naval aviator
11and fighter pilot in the Pacific theatre; he was honored with a
12Distinguished Flying Cross, an Occupational Service Medal, and
13an Air Medal in recognition of his actions during World War II;
14and
 
15    WHEREAS, After World War II, Raymond Lohse became a
16professional test pilot for Vought Sikorsky in California
17before returning home to take over the family business; he then
18became CEO of Lohse Group and would lead the family-run
19automotive parts company for over 50 years; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Raymond Lohse was involved on a number of boards
21and committees throughout his career; he served as Vice

 

 

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1President of the Illinois Automotive Association, Chairman of
2Parts Plus International, a member of the Parts Plus Executive
3Committee, a member of the Distributor Council for General
4Motors, and a member of the boards of Wagner Electric,
5Raybestos Brakes, and Federal Mogul; he also served as head of
6the Rock Island Retail Bureau and was a 20-year member and
7commissioner of the Quad City International Airport
8Metropolitan Airport Authority; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Raymond Lohse was a member of the Rotary, the
10American Legion, and Immanuel Lutheran Church; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Raymond Lohse was an avid golfer and enjoyed
12spending time and playing cards with his friends; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Raymond Lohse was preceded in death by his
14parents; his wife; and his sister, Betty Lohse Benjamin; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Raymond Lohse is survived by his soul mate, Debra
16Friederichs; his son, Ray Lohse; his daughter and son-in-law,
17Susan and Ronald Hicks; his granddaughters, Lindsay and Ashley
18Hicks; and Debra's daughter, Christina Dreiling; therefore, be
19it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his

 

 

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1family and friends, mourn the passing of Raymond "Sonny" George
2Lohse; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of Raymond Lohse as an expression of
5our sympathy.