SR0133 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0133 LRB096 11882 GRL 22899 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Dr. Edward William Bergstraesser of Oak Park, who passed away on February 25, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Edward Bergstraesser was born on June 13, 1935; he earned his undergraduate degree from Elmhurst College in 1956; he went on to earn his Master of Divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary in 1960 and his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Oberlin School of Theology/Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1969; he also received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Elmhurst College in 1991; and

WHEREAS, During and after his graduate studies, Edward Bergstraesser served with urban churches in Ohio and Chicago and suburban churches in Rhode Island, Elmhurst, and Oak Park; he retired in 2000 after 20 years of service as senior pastor of the First United Church of Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement, Edward Bergstraesser and his wife remained in Oak Park and became active volunteers; the couple volunteered for the Advocate Health Care System, the Community Renewal Society of Chicago, and the Lifelink Corporation in Bensenville; Mr. Bergstraesser was also an active member of the Elmhurst College Alumni Association and the National Church Associates of the UCC; and

WHEREAS, Edward Bergstraesser is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Carole; his sons, Edward and Paul (Michelle); his grandchildren, Amy, Jenna, and William; and his sister, Betty (Dan) Peters; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Rev. Dr. Edward William Bergstraesser; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Edward Bergstraesser as an expression of our sympathy.