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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Chester John "Chick" Szech of 
4Libertyville, who passed away on September 6, 2019; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Chester Szech was born in North Chicago to John 
6and Mary Szczech on June 20, 1925; he attended Holy Rosary 
7School and graduated from Waukegan High School in 1943; he 
8enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to Idaho for 
9basic training and then to San Diego to train as a Hospital 
10Corpsman; he was then assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd 
11Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division; in 1944, he was 
12deployed to both Saipan and Tinian, where he was part of the 
13push to retake the Mariana Islands; for his actions during the 
14battle of Tinian, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the 
15V device to denote heroism, the fourth highest military 
16decoration for valor; throughout his life, his Bronze Star was 
17an unwavering source of pride, as was his connection with the 
18Marines; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, After the war, Chester Szech attended Lake Forest 
20College on the GI Bill and graduated in 1950; he worked as a 
21lather and also taught school in the Gavin and North Chicago 
22School Districts; he retired from teaching in 1986; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Chester Szech was a member of the Carpenter's 
2Union; he was a past president of the Illinois Chapter of the 
32nd Marine Division Association and a founding member of the 
4Foss Park Golf League; in 1994, he returned to the Mariana 
5Islands to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of 
6Saipan; he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, 
7golfing, fishing, reading about the war in the South Pacific, 
8and working crossword puzzles; and
  
 
  
9    WHEREAS, Chester Szech is survived by his wife, Vicki; his 
10sons, John (Karen) and Andrew; his daughter, Mary (Donald 
11Popetz); five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; 
12therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
15Chester John Szech and extend our sincere condolences to his 
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
17further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of Chester Szech as an expression of 
20our deepest sympathy.