SR1097 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1097 LRB103 41184 LAW 74401 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gene W. Puschel of Springfield, who passed away on May 22, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Gene Puschel was born to Gene A. and Margaret (Riley) Puschel in Springfield on December 19, 1957; he attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he was an editor of the school newspaper and a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity; he married Katherine R. Hutt in 1984, and they raised their family in Vienna, Virginia before amicably divorcing in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Gene Puschel lived in the Washington, D.C. area for 27 years, during which he worked in technology sales for top news organizations Congressional Quarterly, Washington Post, UPI, Reuters, and Dow Jones; he also volunteered for the presidential campaigns of Gary Hart and Al Gore; after moving back to Springfield, Illinois, he frequently returned to Washington, D.C. to proudly support his children's theatrical pursuits and other activities; and

WHEREAS, Gene Puschel earned a degree in history from the University of Illinois Springfield, where he conducted research for Lincoln scholar and author Dr. Michael Burlingame; he then worked as a park ranger at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and as an historic interpreter at the Old State Capitol, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices; he became renowned for his in-depth knowledge of President Lincoln's life and career, and he was a popular fixture at Springfield's historic sites; at the time of his death, he was doing preliminary research for a tour based on the political career of President Barack Obama, and he had recently been elected as a Democratic Precinct Committeeperson for Woodside Township; and

WHEREAS, Gene Puschel was a consummate traveler, journeying to approximately 20 countries; most memorably, he toured the then-Soviet Union with a group of professional geographers for three weeks in 1981; when the tour ended, he ventured across the continent on the Trans-Siberian Express under the watchful eye of his own personal KGB escort; during a trip to Germany in 1990, he and his wife, Katherine, helped tear down the Berlin Wall; he completed his most recent trip, visiting Ireland with friends from Darcy's Pint in Springfield, just a few months ago; and

WHEREAS, Gene Puschel loved visiting family and friends in New York; he was also a passionate and lifelong participant in organ donor programs; and

WHEREAS, Gene Puschel was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Joyce A. Reitman; and

WHEREAS, Gene Puschel is survived by his son, William Gene Puschel; his daughter, Katherine Margaret (Justin Perez) Puschel; his sister, Peggy Elizabeth (Tom) Luthy; his brother, William (Rachel) Puschel; his brother-in-law, Leslie Reitman; seven nieces and nephews; and his friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gene W. Puschel 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 Gene Puschel as an expression of our deepest sympathy.