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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Robert F. Toalson, who passed away on
4September 15, 2015; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Robert Toalson was born on September 7, 1932 in
6Dodge City, Kansas; his parents were Frank B. and Helen K.
7Toalson; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Robert Toalson graduated from the University of
9Kansas with a degree in political science in 1954; after
10graduation, he served with the United States Marine Corps as a
11commissioned officer from 1954 to 1957, serving in the First
12Marine Division and as an executive officer for a Marine
13Detachment Afloat aboard the USS Columbus; after his military
14service, he earned his master's degree in park and recreation
15administration from Indiana University in 1958; and
 
16    WHEREAS, After completing a year as an intern in the
17Philadelphia park system, Robert Toalson moved to Oak Park,
18where he served as Director of Recreation for 11 years; in
191970, he became the general manager of the Champaign Park
20District; under his leadership, the National Park and
21Recreation Association's Gold Medal for Excellence was awarded
22once to Oak Park and 3 times to the Champaign Park District; in

 

 

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1both Oak Park and Champaign, he was awarded the title of
2Outstanding Citizen; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Robert Toalson served as president of the Illinois
4Park and Recreation Society, president of the National
5Recreation and Park Association, and founding member and
6president of the Academy for Parks and Recreation
7Administration; he also taught at Indiana University, the
8University of Illinois, and Oregon State University; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Robert Toalson was the co-author of
10"Administration of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services"
11with Dr. Lynn Rodney, professor at the University of Oregon;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Following his retirement, Robert Toalson served
14on the Board of Commissioners and as President of the Champaign
15County Forest Preserve District; he served as chairman of the
16Board of Directors of the United Way of Champaign County; he
17also served as president of the Champaign-Urbana Kiwanis Club
18and as a member of the Session at McKinley Presbyterian Church;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, Robert Toalson was preceded in death by his
21parents; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Robert Toalson is survived by his wife, Dianne;
2his daughter, Lauren Smith; his son, Mark Toalson; his
3grandchildren, Julia and William Smith, Kirby and Noah Toalson,
4and Christopher Toalson; his great-granddaughter, Isabelle
5Chamberlain; and his brother, William Toalson; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
7ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
8family and friends, mourn the passing of Robert F. Toalson; and
9be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Robert Toalson as an expression of
12our sympathy.