HR0144 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0144 LRB102 17522 LAW 23126 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth R. "Coach" Geiger of Hillside, who passed away on January 21, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was born in Berwyn on December 30, 1931; he was a lifelong resident of Berwyn; he attended St. Leonard School in Berwyn; he graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park in 1949, where he played football and boxed for three years; he earned his Bachelor of Science from Monmouth College, where he was an all-conference guard and helped the football team to conference championships during his junior and senior years; he served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army in Korea; he obtained his master's degree from the University of Illinois; he earned his doctorate in Education from the University of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Ken Geiger coached football while earning his master's and doctoral degrees; he was the freshman football offensive line coach at the University of Illinois; he served as the assistant varsity line coach at the University of Missouri; he returned to Monmouth College as the varsity line coach and led the football team to an undefeated conference championship; and

WHEREAS, Ken Geiger had a 34-year career in the J. Sterling Morton High School District, where he served as a teacher, the head football coach, a wrestling coach, the athletic director, and a department chair; and

WHEREAS, Ken Geiger entered professional football in the 1980s; he served as a scout for the Chicago Bears for 11 years, and he was with the team when they won Super Bowl XX in 1986; he later worked as a scout for the Indianapolis Colts for five years and the New Orleans Saints for three years; internationally, he was a moving force in bringing American football to Europe, where he taught football to European youths and represented the NFL as a clinician; and

WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was named to the Monmouth College Hall of Fame in 1996; he was also named to the IHSA Hall of Fame; he was an emeritus member of the American Association of Football Coaches; he was a member of the Chicago Catholic League's Hall of Fame; his family was named the Monmouth College Family of the Year in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was known for being a father figure to his students and one of the foremost ambassadors of Morton High School; he will be remembered for the impact he made on the lives of his students; and

WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was the husband of Sheryl J. (Johnson) for 67 years; the father of Gary (Ana Maria), Kevin (Jeane Gentile), Joni (James) Russo, Susan, and Eric (Amy); the son of the late Joseph J. and the late Ann M. (Zaher) Geiger; the grandfather of Joseph Bratta, Sean Geiger, and Niko Muniz; the great-grandfather to Mia Rose, Joseph, and Layla Bratta; the brother of the late Joseph (Nancy) Geiger; the brother-in-law of Celinda (Bob) Prater; and the uncle and great-uncle to many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Kenneth R. "Coach" Geiger 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 Ken Geiger as an expression of our deepest sympathy.