SR0352 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0352 LRB101 12150 ALS 59743 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Edward Severns of Champaign, who passed away on April 3, 2019; and

WHEREAS, John Severns was born in Chicago to Clifford and Maude (Thompson) Severns on October 21, 1926; he graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1944; he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to calculate weapons trajectories for the 189th Field Artillery Battalion; he later attended the University of Illinois and earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in architecture; he married Joan Zagar in 1952; and

WHEREAS, In 1953, John Severns was awarded the Illinois School of Architecture's Francis J. Plym Traveling Fellowship; he and Joan spent nine months driving all over Europe, studying architecture and having adventures; in 1958, he became a partner in a Champaign architectural firm that specialized in educational buildings; he leaves a legacy at the University of Illinois as an early campus planner; his firm was responsible for the design of most of the early residence halls, as well as the original Newmark Civil Engineering Building, the Underground Library, Hydrosystems, the original Digital Computer Lab, the original Micro-Nano Technology Center, Morrill Hall, and over 400 other projects on campus; he was a mentor to all who worked with and under him; he retired from Severns, Reid and Associates in 2001; for many years afterwards, he continued providing pro-bono architecture work for those in need; and

WHEREAS, John Severns loved the mountains, hiking, camping, sailing, and cross-country skiing; he also enjoyed reading, playing with words, the Sunday ads, and bargain shopping; he was a handyman, who enjoyed tinkering in the garage and crating solutions to household problems; he was a supportive husband and a loving father who provided thoughtful guidance; and

WHEREAS, John Severns was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and his son, Jonathan Severns; and

WHEREAS, John Severns is survived by his sister, Beverly Giegler; his daughters, Karen (Koichi Mori) Severns and Christine (Terry) Severns-Williams; and his grandchildren, Brittany, Sarah, and Tearra Williams and Alexander Severns-Williams; 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 John Edward Severns 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 John Severns as an expression of our deepest sympathy.