SR1832 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1832 LRB099 21684 GRL 48215 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert V. Lofgren of Moline, who passed away on May 1, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren was born on May 22, 1925 in Moline; his parents were Vern and Lydia Koenig Lofgren; he married Sylvia Tomlinson on November 30, 1952 in Osco; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren proudly served in the United States Army during World War II; during his time in the service, he was a member of the United States Army Air Corps Band, where he played the clarinet; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren attended the University of Illinois and later graduated from Augustana College; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren worked for Ametek in East Moline and Rock Island Lumber, where he was involved in the planning of over 200 houses in Rock Island County; he later worked as a banker for Metro Bank in East Moline, where he retired at the position of vice president; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren was a member of First Baptist Church in Moline, where he served on several committees; he was also a 50-year member of the East Moline Rotary, a 50-year Mason, and a member of the Black Hawk Shrine Club; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren played music his whole life, starting out with the clarinet, saxophone, and piano; he was an accomplished pianist who organized a number of jazz and dance bands; he had a one-piece to an 18-piece ensemble and played with the Jack Manthy Orchestra; he led the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration along with Bob Hope, Barbara McNair, and Bernadette Peters; he loved big band music and was a longtime friend of Louie Bellson; he also wrote music, all by memory; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sylvia; his granddaughter, Jenna; and his sister, Shirley Lofgren; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lofgren is survived by his son, Jay (Lisa) Lofgren; his daughters, Sheri Helmel and Tracy (Steve) Pettett; his grandchildren, Nicholas, Kurtis, Kyle, Holly, Christopher, and Brian; and his great-granddaughters, Brielle and Adelina; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Robert V. Lofgren; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Lofgren as an expression of our sympathy.