HR1479

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. 
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William D. Towne, M.D., of Palos Park on July 27, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was born on August 29, 1939; after graduating 
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from Mount Carmel High School he received a scholarship from 
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U.S. Steel to attend Loyola University, where he later 
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graduated from the Stritch School of Medicine; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While a medical student visiting Hines V.A. 
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Hospital, he met a nurse named Mary Tansey and they married in  
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June of 1964; and

 
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    WHEREAS, William and Mary had eight children: William, 
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Patrick, James, Michael, Jerry, Brian, Danny, and Catherine; 
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three of Dr. Towne's sons followed him into the medical 
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profession; William is a cardiologist, Patrick is an internist, 
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and James, who is currently in his fourth year of studies at 
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the University of Illinois at Chicago's medical school; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Having completed his residency at Cook County 
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Hospital, Dr. Towne then pursued a cardiac fellowship that 
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followed up on his fascination with the human heart; it was 
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during a time when intensive care units were emerging, along 
 


 






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with new technology for people with heart disease; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1973 Dr. Towne was named chairman of cardiology 
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at Cook County Hospital; he had the distinction of serving as 
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the youngest physician ever appointed to the post; he 
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concurrently served as associate chairman of medicine; he also 
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served as chief of the medical staff from 1979 until 1981; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He served as chief of cardiology at Columbus 
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Hospital from 1983 to 1993, clinical associate professor of 
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medicine at Loyola from 1975 to 1985, and served at 
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Northwestern from 1985 to 1993; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was fondly referred to as a "doctor's doctor" 
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by his colleagues, who considered him to be among the best in 
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the medical profession; and he was deemed an expert in physical 
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diagnosis of heart conditions; and
 

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    WHEREAS, Dr. Towne's career also included serving in the 
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United States Navy, where he served as a lieutenant commander 
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and flight surgeon from 1966 to 1968; and

 

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    WHEREAS, Dr. William Towne is survived by his wife, Mary; 
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his sons, William, Patrick, James, Michael, Jerry, Brian, and 
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Danny; and his daughter, Catherine Gergitis; therefore, be it

 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family, friends, and colleagues, the 
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passing of Dr. William Towne; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Dr. William Towne as a symbol of our 
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sincere sympathy.