SR1411 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1411 LRB101 22302 ECR 73344 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Lyle Eugene Wacaser of Springfield, who passed away on August 14, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lyle Wacaser was born to Paul and Helen (Keyes) Wacaser in Lovington on November 9, 1932; he graduated as class president and valedictorian from Lovington High School; he earned a bachelor's degree in science from the University of Illinois; he was member of a number of organizations and societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha; and

WHEREAS, in 1957, Dr. Lyle Wacaser received his medical degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago; after an internship at Presbyterian Hospital (now Rush Medical Center) in Chicago, he completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Illinois; he spent the following year as a fellow at the International College of Surgeons in Gothenburg, Sweden under the famous neurovascular surgeon, Dr. Norlene; after his residency, he joined Dr. Floyd Barringer's neurosurgical practice in Springfield; he practiced neurosurgery for several years until he entered the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1967 during the Vietnam War; he was stationed at the 95th Evacuation Hospital near DeNang; he entered the army as a Major and was honorably discharged as a Lt. Colonel; and

WHEREAS, in 1970, Dr. Lyle Wacaser returned to Springfield and went into private practice, first with his brother, Dr. Larry Wacaser, and later with his wife, Dr. Constance Kayser; he retired in 2000 as a highly respected and much loved neurosurgeon; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lyle Wacaser served as Chairman of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Springfield Memorial Medical Center and on the faculty of the SIU Medical School; he was member of the American Medical Association, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lyle Wacaser was known for his wicked sense of humor, incredible intelligence, and unending sense of fun; he kept a magnificent vegetable garden and was an avid fisherman and world traveler; he visited many countries on six continents, including many trips to Vietnam to visit his old friend and former neurosurgical mentee, Dr. Dung Le; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lyle Wacaser was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Lawrence and Deane Wacaser; and his son, Kurt Wacaser; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lyle Wacaser is survived by his wife, Dr. Constance Kayser; his children, Kathy (Mick) Hawken, Melissa James, and Lyle (AJ) Wacaser; his stepdaughter, Cid Hart; his sister, Ellen Wacaser Keyes; his eight grandchildren, his six great-grandchildren; and his nine nieces and nephews; 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 Dr. Lyle Eugene Wacaser 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 Dr. Lyle Wacaser as an expression of our deepest sympathy.