SR0399 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0399 LRB102 18933 MST 27661 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Donald Hacker "Don" Scherwat, who passed away on on March 10, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Don Scherwat was born in Chicago to Josephine and Bill Scherwat on September 15, 1927; he graduated from Senn High School and the University of Illinois, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was captain of the swimming team; he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard the LST 1026 in the Pacific; and

WHEREAS, Don Scherwat began work as a teacher in District 64 in North Chicago and was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War; he served in Japan, playing the trombone in the band, welcoming dignitaries off the plane, and playing in honky tonk bars at night; and

WHEREAS, Don Scherwat returned to his teaching career and was soon offered the job of business manager for District 64, where he spent his entire career; and

WHEREAS, Don Scherwat retired and spent his days at the Bonnie Brook Golf Course selling golf balls and fishing in Iron River, Wisconsin whenever he could; he moved to Florida in 2007 after the passing of Rosemary and met the second love of his life, Annie Yates; and

WHEREAS, Don Scherwat was an expert swimmer; he worked as a lifeguard on Lake Michigan at the Chicago beaches, and his love of water continued with a 60-year fishing tradition, the Skal Cup Memorial Day fishing tournament, which carries on through his grandsons; he treasured his friendships, especially a group of lifelong friends who called themselves the Lucky Club and played golf and had raucous holiday parties together; and

WHEREAS, Don Scherwat played competitive volleyball into his 60s with men half his age; he was honored by the AARP for 20 years of volunteer tax preparation; he was also a prize-winning gardener; and

WHEREAS, Don Scherwat was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary (Musso); his parents; his brother, Bob Scherwat; and his sister, Carole Muret; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Don Scherwat was survived by his daughters, Tish (Ken) Pasiewicz and Mary Ellen Montavon (Dennis Hildebrand); his grandsons, Mike and Scott Ratkiewicz; his Florida soul mate, Annie Yates; and his nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Donald Hacker "Don" Scherwat 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 Don Scherwat as an expression of our deepest sympathy.