SR0865 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0865 LRB102 26226 LAW 36052 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Robert D. Erickson of Elgin, who passed away on January 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson received his Bachelor of Divinity from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota; he pursued his doctoral studies in New Testament and Early Christian Literature at the University of Chicago; he later received an honorary doctorate from Judson University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson, while teaching New Testament Greek in the collegiate division of the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, became a founding faculty member of Judson College, known today as Judson University, in Elgin in 1961; he was responsible for drafting and designing the Biblical Studies curriculum at the inception of Judson in 1963; he also taught select courses at Northern Illinois University, Loyola University, the College of St. Francis, and Wheaton College; he taught for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson was an ordained minister with the Baptist General Conference; he served as pastor of Hillside Baptist Church, known today as Crossroads Community Church, in Hillside; he was an interim minister for several other churches; and

WHEREAS, Alongside his wife, Dr. Erickson gave to Judson University for more than 50 years; their giving has supported and continues to support the departments where Dr. Erickson faithfully served, Biblical & Theological Studies and Christian Ministries, through scholarships and endowed funds; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson was an active member of the greater Elgin community, representing Judson University in the Kiwanis Club of Elgin for 50 years; during his time with Kiwanis, he was influential in raising more than $100,000 towards Project Eliminate, an international effort to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus; and

WHEREAS, On Founders' Day 2012, Dr. Erickson was honored with the Golden Eagle Award, one of Judson University's highest honors, in recognition of his 50 years of teaching; he was also recognized for never missing a single class in his entire career with Judson; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson was a long-time member of Chapelstreet Church, formerly known as the First Baptist Church of Geneva; and

WHEREAS, Erickson is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gladys; his children, Robert, Randall (Laura), Timothy (Valerie Dobiesz), Susan Suits (Jeffery), Jens, and Julie Henderson (Jeffrey); his 17 grandchildren; and his three great-grandchildren; 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 Dr. Robert D. Erickson 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. Erickson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.