SR0160 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0160 LRB102 17648 MST 23446 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth "Ken" Ritzert; and

WHEREAS, Ken Ritzert was raised in Naperville and graduated from Naperville High School and North Central College; he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska; he was part of the USO during this time and made numerous trips to bases around the state, including in the Arctic Circle; he returned to Illinois and continued his education at Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois; he settled his family in Darien in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Ken Ritzert was employed as a social studies teacher at Blackhawk Jr. High School in Bensenville, where he helped to shape the minds of thousands of students for over 30 years; he wrote and directed plays at the school, conducted legendary Constitutional Conventions, and received teaching awards, including the Valley Forge Freedom Foundations Award; he worked at the family sand and gravel business, Ritzert Materials Inc., during the summers; and

WHEREAS, Ken Ritzert served as the Downers Grove Township Republican Precinct Committeeman in Precinct 66 for 40 years; he had an outstanding singing voice that radiated across the many countries and continents to which he traveled; he performed in operas, was a member of the Joyful Voices Choir, and was the long time cantor at the masses at Our Lady of Peace Church in Darien; and

WHEREAS, Ken Ritzert was the beloved husband of 61 years of Joan (Kanikula) Ritzert; the dear father of John (deceased), William, and Edward (Lori) Ritzert; and the adored grandfather of Matthew Ritzert; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Kenneth "Ken" Ritzert and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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