SR0733 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0733 LRB101 13558 ALS 62409 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael Gardner Crowell, who passed away on July 15, 2019 at the age of 88; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell was born in Philadelphia to James and Marjorie (Marcy) Crowell on June 17, 1931; he was raised in Riverton, New Jersey and attended Groton School; he graduated from Amherst College in 1953; he later served in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot on the USS Essex; upon his return from military service, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in English Literature and Linguistics from Northwestern University; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell built a professional career as a professor of English at Knox College in Galesburg from 1961 until 1996; he was most proud of the Freshman Preceptorial, now the First-Year Preceptorial, an interdisciplinary seminar he developed with colleagues that introduces students to the intellectual excitement of the liberal arts education by exploring classic, existential questions; as a sailor and lover of the sea, Moby Dick was his favorite novel to teach; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell loved Walt Whitman's poetry, spoke French, and was a master limerick creator; he was an aficionado of the opera, his dogs, and reading; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell and his wife, Karen, retired to their old Norwegian farm near Washburn, Wisconsin in 2001, where he enjoyed sailing, raising chickens, and visiting with friends and family; he became immersed in the Washburn community as an environmentalist and served on the Bayfield Regional Conservancy Board; though he was raised Episcopalian, he became a devoted member of the Chequamegon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, where he spoke on the beginnings of the American Unitarian Universalist congregation, offering a personal view that avoided dates and names in favor of analyzing emerging viewpoints, in much the same way he did as a professor; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell will be remembered for his quick wit, ironic humor, and interest in the environment, as evidenced by his collection of animal feces; he was known for his warm, friendly smile, for his courtesy and respect towards colleagues of all ages, and as a gifted educator who shared his passion for literature with his students; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell and his wife, Karen, were grateful to the community they called home for 18 years, establishing the Michael and Karen Ruedi Crowell Fund to address the changing needs of the region served by the Chequamegon Bay Area Community; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Alexander M. Crowell; his son, Peter M. Crowell; and his first wife, Virginia Huysman; and

WHEREAS, Michael Crowell is survived by his wife of 44 years, Karen Ruedi Crowell; his sons, James G. (Julie Rademaker) Crowell, John A. (Megan Williamson) Crowell, and Matthew P. (Michelle Frey) Crowell; his daughter-in-law, Wendy MacWilliams; his grandchildren, Peter Crowell Jr., Madeline Crowell, Gavin Crowell-Williamson, M. Gardner Crowell, Erin Crowell, and Thomas Crowell; and his nephew, Thomas P. Crowell; 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 Michael Gardner Crowell 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 Michael Crowell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.