SR0211LRB102 17986 LAW 24779 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of former Bloomington Mayor Richard D. 
4"Rich" Buchanan, who passed away on March 30, 2021; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was born in Clinton to Millard and 
6Myrna Hawkins Buchanan on May 19, 1939; he was born to a 
7railroading family; he served in the U.S. Army; he married 
8Judy Geary in Sycamore on July 6, 1963; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan worked for General Telephone 
10Company after his military service; he was later hired by 
11State Farm, where he worked for 35 years and  recruited 
12thousands of young, recent college graduates to start their 
13careers in the Systems Department; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan served as chairman of the McLean 
15County Regional Planning Commission; he was elected to the 
16Bloomington City Council and served for two terms; he then 
17served for two terms as mayor from 1977 to 1985;  he was known 
18for his passion for community service and was regarded as a 
19listener, a facilitator, and someone who made a difference; 
20his final electoral position was as a member on the McLean 
21County Board until 2017; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Alongside his wife Judy, Rich Buchanan was a 
2recipient of the 2019 History Makers award hosted by the 
3McLean County History Museum; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was committed to his faith; he 
5enjoyed supporting all things connected to Bloomington-Normal; 
6he loved performing barbershop with Bloomington's Sound of 
7Illinois Chorus; he followed Redbird basketball and was a 
8longtime supporter of local women's softball; he was a loyal 
9fan to the Chicago Cubs for 73 years; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was known for his love of working a 
11room and for always being upbeat, positive, and honest; he was 
12very proud of his wife and his children; he was affectionately 
13called "Papau" by his granddaughters; he will be remembered as 
14a respected public servant and someone who always encouraged 
15others; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was preceded in death by his 
17parents, three sisters, and one brother; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan is survived by his wife; his 
19children, Jennifer Buchanan, Julie (Mike Warren) Buchanan, and 
20Gary Buchanan; his special granddaughters, Seabra Fae Holstein 
21and Ellie Warren; his sister, Janyce Gross; his brother, 
22Robert (Marilyn) Buchanan; his special nephews, Mike Ellington 
 
 
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1and Mike Gross; and a host of nieces and nephews; therefore, be 
2it
  
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL 
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
5former Bloomington Mayor Richard D. "Rich" Buchanan and extend 
6our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who 
7knew and loved him; and be it further
  
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
9presented to the family of Rich Buchanan as an expression of 
10our deepest sympathy.