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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Robert John Towers of Oak Brook, who 
4passed away on April 6, 2014; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Robert Towers was born in Peoria on April 21, 1930 
6to John Lockhart and Nellie Grace (nee Henry) Towers; at the 
7age of 5, his family settled in Springfield; he earned his 
8Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of 
9Illinois in 1952, where he was an ROTC-Bronze Tablet recipient 
10and a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity; he served as 
11a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force  during the 
12Korean War as an F86 fighter pilot; following his service, he 
13earned his Master of Civil Engineering from the University of 
14Illinois; he married Marjorie Jean Zeglin on July 13, 1957; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Robert Towers spent the majority of his career 
16with the Armco Steel Corporation and finished with Chemical 
17Waste Management; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Robert Towers served as President of the National 
19Society of Professional Engineers, President of the Illinois 
20Society of Professional Engineers, President of the University 
21of Illinois Civil Engineering Alumni Association, President of 
22the District 53 school board, and served on the Executive 
 
 
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1Citizen's Council that provided incite and guidance in the 
2development of the Oak Brook Park District; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Robert Towers was a 44-year member of Christ 
4Church of Oak Brook, where he served as an elder and head 
5usher; he was an avid Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis 
6Cardinals fan, as well as a life-long Fighting Illini fan; he 
7enjoyed gardening and was known for his raspberry pies; he 
8coached many youth sports teams and served as a Cub and Boy 
9Scouts leader; he was an active member of the Indian Prairie 
10Genealogy Group and served at the local food pantry; he and his 
11wife enjoyed traveling the world and had visited all 50 states; 
12and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Robert Towers was preceded in death by his wife, 
14Marjorie; his parents; and his sister, Patricia  Flesher; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Robert Towers is survived by his 3 children, John 
16(Sandra) Towers, Tom (Nancy) Towers, and Leigh (Steve) Barczi; 
178 grandchildren, Courtney (Grant) Hannah, Katie Towers, Jack 
18Towers, Marly Towers, Ben Towers, Natalie Barczi, Stephen 
19Barczi, and Amelia Barczi; his great-grandchild, Hudson 
20Hannah; his brother-in-law; and many cousins, nieces, and 
21nephews; therefore, be it
  
 
22    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
 
 
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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
2Robert John Towers, and extend our sincere condolences to his 
3family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
4further
  
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
6presented to the family of Robert Towers as an expression of 
7our deepest sympathy.