HR1267 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1267 LRB097 23169 MST 71991 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert D. Reese of Tuscola, who passed away on October 9, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Robert Reese was born on April 28, 1962, at Scott Air Force Base to Robert L. and Mary E. (Smith) Reese; he married Pamela M. Berner on May 24, 1997, in Jamaica; and

WHEREAS, Robert Reese began his broadcasting career as an on-air personality at various radio stations in central Illinois; he worked as a meteorologist and news anchor for WAND-TV in Decatur; he joined WCIA 3 in 1998, and served as the station's chief meteorologist for nearly 4 years; he reported weather for WBGL and other radio stations in central Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Robert Reese worked as a police officer in Kansas, Illinois, prior to his television weather career; he attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated from the broadcast meteorology program at Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, Robert Reese had a passion for all things related to music, airplanes, and cars; he enjoyed meeting new people and watching Animal Planet; he was known for his offbeat sense of humor and his zeal for zombies and horror movies; and

WHEREAS, Robert Reese spent many weekends volunteering with numerous charities throughout central Illinois; he hosted the MDA Labor Day telethon and the MDA summer camp; he served on the Mid-Illinois Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board of Directors, for which he received the 1998 Volunteer of the Year Award; he volunteered for the Douglas County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, and he could be found emceeing charitable events for cancer survivors; and

WHEREAS, Robert Reese was preceded in death by his father, Robert L. Reese; and

WHEREAS, Robert Reese is survived by his wife, Pamela; his children, Rachel Kerr and Matthew, Michelle, and Michael Reese; his grandchildren, Alexandra and Dallas Kerr; his mother, Mary Reese; his sisters, Madeline Reese and Vanessa Reese; his aunts, uncles, and cousins in Central Illinois and England; and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws near Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Reese, and we 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 Robert Reese as an expression of our deepest sympathy.