SR0888 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0888 LRB101 16281 MST 65654 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lt. Col. James "Jim" Joseph Gende, USMC Ret., who passed away on December 13, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende was born in Chicago to Eva (Bawiec) and Joseph Francis Gende; he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951 and was commissioned at the age of 18 as a First Lieutenant; he served in the Korean War and joined the USMC Reserve, serving for a time as commanding officer of the local Reserve; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende attended the University of Illinois for his undergraduate studies and then earned his Juris Doctor in 1962 from the University of Illinois School of Law; he married Susan B. Rypstat in 1962; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende practiced law for 35 years and founded his own firm; he helped create the Hungry Hobo and was one of the founders and owners of SnowStar, the only ski area in the Quad Cities; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende was committed to helping others in his community; he served on numerous boards, including for the local Epilepsy foundation, the Rock Island County Council of Addictions, Legal Aid in the Quad Cities, Marriage and Family Counseling, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mississippi Valley; he also served as the attorney for the St. Anthony's Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Summit Ridge; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende was a lifelong member the Democratic Party and ran for U.S. Congress in 1973; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende was a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears and the Fighting Illini; he loved the Mississippi River and spent many happy hours boating in its muddy waters; he and Sue lived on their second boat, De Novo, during the winters for two decades; they traveled all over the world with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Jim Gende is survived by his wife of 57 years, the Honorable Susan B. Gende; his children, Dr. Sarah Gende (Bob Castle), James Gende, Gretchen Gende (Steve Willey), and Dr. Amy (John) Piperato; and his grandchildren, Mason, Nolan, Giana, Lucien, Sian, Caden, John Jr., Alexa, and Vincent; 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 Lt. Col. James "Jim" Joseph Gende, USMC Ret. 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 Jim Gende as an expression of our deepest sympathy.