SR0519LRB102 20099 ECR 28949 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Roland August Groce of Moline, who 
4passed away on September 9, 2021; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Roland Groce was born to Marie Elizabeth (Koch) 
6and  Leo Arnold Groce in Rohrigshof, Germany on June 14, 1949; 
7he and his mother emigrated to the United States when he was 
8five years old to reunite the family in Rock Island, where he 
9attended school; he served in the United States Army from 
10March 27, 1969 until March 1, 1975, including  one year in 
11Vietnam; he was naturalized as an American citizen after he 
12returned from Vietnam;  and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Roland Groce retired from Alcoa as a brick mason 
14after more than 33 years of service; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Roland Groce was an avid history buff and a lover 
16of opera and classical music; he had a passion for collecting 
17watches; he spent 37 years with the love of his life, Carol 
18(Coulter) Becka, and they traveled extensively; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Roland Groce was preceded in death by his 
20parents; and
  
 
 
 
SR0519- 2 -LRB102 20099 ECR 28949 r

1    WHEREAS, Roland Groce is survived by his partner, Carol; 
2his younger sister, Linda Wakiyama; his nieces and nephews, 
3Yumi, Mari, Kenji, and Hikaru; and his great-nieces and 
4great-nephews, Kenji's children; therefore, be it
  
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL 
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
7Roland August Groce and extend our sincere condolences to his 
8family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
9further
  
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
11presented to the family of Roland Groce as an expression of our 
12deepest sympathy.