SR1207LRB101 21578 LAW 72505 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Harvey John Schweitzer Jr. Ph.D., of 
4Champaign, who passed away on March 28, 2020; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was born in Malta to Harvey 
6Schweitzer Sr. and Anna (Wright) Schweitzer on June 1, 1919; he 
7graduated from DeKalb High School, where he was active in 4-H 
8and FFA, earning the American Farmer degree in 1937 and serving 
9as the national FFA student secretary from 1938 to 1939; he 
10graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1946; he earned 
11his master's degree in rural sociology and agricultural 
12economics from Michigan State University in 1948; he received 
13his doctorate in rural sociology from the University of 
14Wisconsin in 1958; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer operated his family farm from 1950 
16to 1962; during this time, he served as the South Grove 
17Township Farm Bureau director, a county school board member, 
18and a township director in the Farmers Home Administration; he 
19also served on the advisory committee for the Department of 
20Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer joined the Agricultural Economics 
22Department at the University of Illinois in 1962; he served 
 
 
SR1207- 2 -LRB101 21578 LAW 72505 r

1first as an extension specialist in rural sociology and later 
2as an assistant director of the Cooperative Extension Service 
3and in the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station; during his 
4last year, he was instrumental in establishing programs in 
5rural development and sustainable agriculture; he retired as 
6professor emeritus in agricultural economics from the 
7Extension Service in 1985 and from the Experiment Station in 
81989; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was involved in several 
10professional societies and held numerous leadership positions 
11in state, regional, and national research and extension 
12committees; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was preceded in death by his 
14parents; his son, John; a great-granddaughter; and two sisters; 
15and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer is survived by his wife, April; his 
17children, David (Cathy) Schweitzer, Elaine (Brian) Chaille, 
18Jennifer Rojas, John (Kathryn) Byers, and Jeffrey Byers; his 
19grandchildren, Krista (Matt) Reimer, Melissa (Nick) Perez, 
20Gabe Chaille, Christian Chaille, Elijah Rojas, Melanie Rojas, 
21Levi Rojas, Megan Watkins, John Byers, Dean Byers, and Noah 
22Byers; and four great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
SR1207- 3 -LRB101 21578 LAW 72505 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
3Harvey John Schweitzer Jr. Ph.D., and extend our sincere 
4condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
5him; and be it further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to the family of Dr. Schweitzer as an expression of 
8our deepest sympathy.