HR1563 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1563 LRB099 24426 MST 52202 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Frank H. "Bud" Paschen, who passed away on December 12, 2016, at the age of 80; and

WHEREAS, To the world, Frank Paschen will be remembered for his strong entrepreneurial spirit and shrewd business acumen; as a fourth-generation contractor, he built up the company that his family founded in the City of Chicago, dating back nearly a century and half to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen was the founder, chairman, and life behind F.H. Paschen S. N. Nielsen and its associated companies; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen began working in the family business at a very young age; he started as a laborer for Paschen Contractors and continued to work for the firm as an estimator through his college studies at Northwestern University, where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1959; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen was instrumental in helping his family business grow into one of the largest and most prestigious construction companies in Chicago; his company was responsible for helping build two landmark structures in the City, the McCormick Place and the IBM Building; and

WHEREAS, Seeking further opportunities for growth, Frank Paschen ventured out on his own in 1975, founding his own company, which performed primarily remodeling and rehabilitation work in the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen possessed an incredible ability to envisage emerging markets; coupled with the acquisition of both S.N. Nielsen Company and Paschen Contractors, Inc., he managed to build his company into a multi-million dollar enterprise which, to-date, operates in 25 states, completing projects in commercial, industrial, and civil industries; and

WHEREAS, Today, F.H. Paschen and S.N. Nielsen employs thousands of workers each year; his company takes on every aspect of a construction project; as head of his company, he meticulously oversaw each facet of his company in order to maintain the Paschen standard that has distinguished the company throughout its history; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen recognized the need to give back to the community; he shared his desire for industry and entrepreneurship with the youth, acting as principal-for-a-day in the Chicago Public Schools and adopting in-need schools, such as Howland School and the Ace Technical Charter School; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen was preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah, and his brother, Harry Jay Paschen; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen is survived by his loving wife, Dianne M. (Tieken) Paschen; his dear children, Debora, Jeanne (David), Mary, Frank Henry (Joanne), Tony (Kari), Paul (Anne), Elisabeth (John), and Daniel (Kauren); his dearest grandchildren, Brooke, Isabella, and Lillian Rose; his siblings, Laverne (Walker) Finney; and his many fond nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Frank Paschen was a hard-working, true visionary who served to inspire not only his colleagues, staff, and family, but also, to serve as a shining example to every Illinoisan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Frank H. Paschen, and 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 Frank Paschen as a symbol of our deepest sympathy and appreciation for his remarkable contributions to the State of Illinois.