SR0114 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0114 LRB101 10884 ALS 56029 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Robert F. "Bob" Kennett OD of Bloomington, who passed away on February 3, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kennett was born in Carroll, Iowa to Emery and Eva Brafford Kennett on September 18, 1938; he was raised on a farm near Lidderdale, Iowa; he graduated from Carroll High School, where he participated in many sports; he attended Simpson College and earned a degree in elementary education; at Simpson, he participated in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity; he married Dorothy Hodges on July 19, 1959; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kennett was a fourth grade teacher in Des Moines, Iowa for many years before earning an advanced degree and becoming an optometrist; he moved to Chicago and attended optometry school at the Illinois Institute of Technology; along with going to school, he drove a bus on State Street and worked in the men's department at Marshall Fields during Christmas break; after graduation, he purchased an optometry practice in Bloomington and began his lifelong journey of building a practice, taking care of his patients, raising his family, making friends, and staying involved in the community; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kennett was involved in the Kiwanis Club of Bloomington, and he served as president, in a district leadership role, and also enjoyed participating in Camp Limberlost, the annual pancake breakfasts, and Peanut Days; he was a member of the Young Men's Club, the McLean County Optometric Society, where he served as president, the Masonic Lodge, and the Shrine Club; he was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church; he was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Illinois State University Redbirds; he provided optometric services to many of the ISU sports teams; he looked forward to attending as many football and basketball games as possible; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kennett was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kennett is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy; his sons, Steve (Kendra), Jon (Anne), and Greg; his grandchildren, Emery, Andrew, Matt, Megan, Freddy, Audrey, Alex, and Casey; his sister, Marlene (Bud) Baumhover; his nieces and nephews; his many loving friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Robert F. "Bob" Kennett OD 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 Bob Kennett as an expression of our deepest sympathy.