HR1278 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1278 LRB100 20349 ALS 37224 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Albert G. Bledig, who passed away on December 24, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Originally from Galatia, Dr. Albert Bledig attended the University of Illinois for both undergraduate studies and medical school; he completed an internship at Illinois Central Hospital in Chicago and served as a Captain in the United States Army, in medical services, before entering private practice in Eldorado; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Albert Bledig was certified as a Charter Member of the American Board of Family Medicine in 1971, and he was committed to maintaining that rigorous distinction every seven years throughout his career; he earned many honors for his medical service, including the Physician of Excellence Award from the Illinois Rural Health Association; he was also selected as one of America's Top Family Doctors by the Consumers' Research Council of America; and

WHEREAS, In addition to delivering health care, Dr. Albert Bledig also served the community in a variety of civic roles; he was a member of the Eldorado School Board and the SIC Board of Trustees; he also served on the Board of Directors for Ferrell Hospital and Fountainview Nursing Home; he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Eldorado, where he was a longtime member of the choir; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Albert Bledig was devoted to his profession and his patients, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family; he enjoyed family vacations, trips in their motor home, boating and relaxing at their lake house, and attending his children and grandchildren's functions; he loved baseball and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Albert Bledig was preceded in death by his parents, Fanno and Rose Bledig; and his brother-in-law, Jim Knight; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Albert Bledig is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alice; his children, Sara Griffeth (Bob), Stefan Bledig, and Sallie Ash (Jim); his seven grandchildren; his great-grandchild; his sister, Anna Lee Knight; his brothers-in-law, Franklin Kube (Janet) and John Kube (Diane); and his many nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, In the era of the "specialization" of medical practice, Dr. Albert Bledig was truly special; while he could have gone the route of many others and headed for the culture and high society of the city, Dr. Bledig remained firm in his desire to stay planted where he was rooted; instead of seeking a career elsewhere, he chose to serve the people of Eldorado, and they returned the favor with undying loyalty and admiration; he was even know to accept calls at his home during a crisis, a precious, almost extinct benefit of small-town living and of knowing a physician like Dr. B; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Albert Bledig was a true home-town doctor, trusted and loved, unpretentious, knowledgeable and skillful, without haughtiness, friendly and warm, who shared in his patent's joys and sorrows as they grew older together; once when Dr. B had been ill, a young boy went with his mother to purchase a get well card for their family doctor; she was in the "Get Well" section, but the boy said, "Shouldn't we be in the 'Friend' section?"; that statement captures perfectly the area's genuine feelings for Dr. B; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Albert G. Bledig 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 Dr. Albert Bledig as an expression of our deepest sympathy.