SR1147 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1147 LRB101 21201 MST 71769 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gordon "Gordy" L. Ropp of Normal, who passed away on April 14, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp was born in Normal to Clarence R. and Mabel (Mohr) Ropp on April 5, 1933; he was helping his father milk cows by the age of six and joined 4-H by the time he was 10, where he proudly displayed his prize-winning Jersey cow, Corianda; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp graduated from Normal Community High School as valedictorian of his class and from the University of Illinois in 1955; during college, he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the ROTC program and was a member of the Farm House Fraternity; he married Roberta Cutter in 1955, and they returned to the family farm, raising anywhere from 40 to 100 Jersey cattle at a time; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp was employed by the Funk Seed Company as a young man; he was selected as a delegate to the Illinois Agriculture Association Convention by the McLean County Farm Bureau in 1960 at the age of 27; around the same time, he was state director of the American Dairy Association of Illinois, secretary-treasurer of the Illinois Jersey Cattle Club Association, and president of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association of McLean County; he served on the executive committee of the American Dairy Association and as captain in his local National Guard; he and Roberta were also selected by the Pure Milk Association as the Outstanding Young Dairy Farm Couple for District 2; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Gordon Ropp accepted the position as Assistant Director of Agriculture in Springfield; in 1970, he became the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture; during his time as director, he implemented many new programs and practices while continuing to promote Illinois agriculture across the globe; he was particular proud of the eradication of hog cholera, a highly contagious swine disease; he oversaw the implementation of the Centennial Farm Sign program, which continues today and recognizes Illinois farms which have been in a single family for 100 years; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp served as the Illinois State Representative for the 88th District from 1979 to 1993; he served on many committees, including Appropriations, Higher Education, Agriculture, Executive, and Public Utilities; after his time as a representative, he served as the Rural Affairs Liaison to the Secretary of State; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp retired in 1999 but remained active in the McLean County community; he worked as a Unit 5 substitute teacher and volunteered his time with a variety of organizations and clubs, including 4-H, the Shriners, the Masons, the Royal Order of the Jesters, the David Davis Mansion Foundation, the Normal Rotary, the Timeless Clovers McLean County 4-H Alumni, McLean County Barn Quilters, the Illinois Jersey Cattle Club, Extension Partners, the McLean County Seniors Golf League, and the Prune Juice Golf League; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp received numerous awards and recognitions during his life, including the Clarence Ropp 4-H Family Spirit Award in 2003, the 4-H Volunteer in 2005, and Illinoisan of the Day at the Illinois State Fair in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp was dedicated to 4-H for over 75 years; he was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Bears; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp was an energetic and devoted leader in Illinois agriculture with a warm personality and an approachable style; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta; his parents; his son, David; and his infant sister, JoAnne; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Ropp is survived by his children, Diana and Darren Ropp; his grandchildren, Shana (Kevin Mulloy) Emberton, Jeff Emberton, Troy (Sarune) Emberton, Samantha (Josh) Fairbanks, Savannah Ropp, Sadie Ropp, Domonique Ropp, and Daniel Ropp; his great-grandchildren, Levi Emberton, Wyatt Emberton, Augustus Emberton, Avery Mulloy, and Emma Mulloy; and his brother, Ray (Carol) Ropp; 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 Gordon "Gordy" L. Ropp 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 Gordon Ropp as an expression of our deepest sympathy.