SR0475LRB100 12548 MAS 25632 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Robert L. "Beef" Freund of McHenry, who
4passed away on April 17, 2017; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Robert Freund was born to George P. and Mary A.
6(Meyer) Freund on November 1, 1930; he graduated with the Class
7of 1948 from McHenry High School and served his country in
8Korea as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1951
9to 1953; he married the love of his life, Renee A. Kalsch, at
10St. Mary Church in McHenry on November 26, 1955; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Robert Freund worked with his father and brothers
12at the family business founded by his father, George P. Freund
13Inc., for 52 of the 61 years they were in business and sold
14agricultural, construction, and lawn and garden equipment; he
15started as a mechanic, then became shop foreman, and was
16eventually in charge of lawn and garden sales; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Robert Freund had a passion for music which he
18shared with McHenry residents as a member or leader of various
19musical groups; he began his interest in music in high school
20playing with the McHenry High School Band; he continued his
21participation with the drum and bugle corps, first with the
22McHenry Red Devils and later with the Men of Brass; and
 

 

 

SR0475- 2 -LRB100 12548 MAS 25632 r

1    WHEREAS, Robert Freund also formed his own musical groups
2including the Bob Freund five-piece band and 10-piece
3orchestra, and the Fireball 8 Dixieland Band; they were hired
4for weddings, anniversaries, banquets, and other social
5gatherings; he played in the McHenry City Band for 56 years and
6served as the band director for 13 years; the bandshell was
7named in his honor in 2013; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Robert Freund volunteered his musical talents as a
9bugle instructor for the McHenry Viscounts Drum & Bugle Corps
10and was featured as the bugler at many Memorial Day and
11Veterans Day celebrations; many veterans' families were
12honored to have him play "Taps" at funerals; he was a staple at
13every Marine Days/Fiesta Days parades, starting with the high
14school band, then the drum and bugle corps, and finally with
15Fireball 8, until his health forced an early retirement in
162005; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Robert Freund was a longtime member of St. Mary
18Church in McHenry, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and Court
19594 and its Legion of Honor; he was a member of American Legion
20Post 491 in McHenry, the McHenry Rotary, and served on the
21McHenry Library Board; he was a lifetime member of the McHenry
22VFW Post 4600 where he served as Commander from 1967 to 1969,
23then again from 1974 to 1975; he also served as the

 

 

SR0475- 3 -LRB100 12548 MAS 25632 r

1Quartermaster and a member of the Board of Directors for 40
2years; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Robert Freund was preceded in death by his
4parents; his brothers, James Freund and George Freund; and his
5sister-in-law, Gloria Freund; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Robert Freund is survived by his wife of 61 years,
7Renee; his children, Judi (Larry) Jones, Renee (Kent)
8Crossland, Ron (Patty) Freund, and Michael (Christine) Freund;
9his grandchildren, Casey Jones, Rob (Grace) Jones, Jenny (Andy)
10Marse, Curtis (Audra) Crossland, Kevin (Anna) Crossland, Jon
11Freund, Michelle Freund, Paige Freund, and Kate Freund; his
12great-grandchild, Ivy; his sister-in-law, Doris Freund; and
13many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
16Robert L. "Beef" Freund, and extend our sincere condolences to
17his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
18further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to the family of Robert Freund as an expression of
21our deepest sympathy.