SR0539LRB104 16748 ECR 30155 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Robert "Bob" Van den Arend of Pekin, 
4who passed away on December 6, 2025; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bob Van den Arend was born to Robert and Ada 
6(Furry) Van den Arend in Chicago on November 13, 1932; he 
7served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War; he married Mary 
8Lou Whaley in Lewistown on March 14, 1954; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Bob Van den Arend worked as the director of 
10finance and administration for Illini Tech Systems, retiring 
11in 1989 after 31 years of service; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Bob Van den Arend served as the past chairman of 
13the American Welding Society, and he volunteered as an escort 
14at the Pekin Hospital for 15 years; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Bob Van den Arend was preceded in death by his 
16wife, Mary Lou, and his daughter, Bobbie Sue Van den Arend; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bob Van den Arend is survived by his twin sister, 
18Roberta (the late Mel) Fletcher; one nephew; one great-nephew 
19and one great-niece; and three great-great-nephews; therefore, 
20be it
 
 
 
SR0539- 2 -LRB104 16748 ECR 30155 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
3Robert "Bob" Van den Arend and extend our sincere condolences 
4to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be 
5it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to the family of Bob Van den Arend as an expression 
8of our deepest sympathy.