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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of former Bloomington Mayor Richard D.
4"Rich" Buchanan, who passed away on March 30, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was born in Clinton to Millard and
6Myrna Hawkins Buchanan on May 19, 1939; he was born to a
7railroading family; he served in the U.S. Army; he married
8Judy Geary in Sycamore on July 6, 1963; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan worked for General Telephone
10Company after his military service; he was later hired by
11State Farm, where he worked for 35 years and recruited
12thousands of young, recent college graduates to start their
13careers in the Systems Department; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan served as chairman of the McLean
15County Regional Planning Commission; he was elected to the
16Bloomington City Council and served for two terms; he then
17served for two terms as mayor from 1977 to 1985; he was known
18for his passion for community service and was regarded as a
19listener, a facilitator, and someone who made a difference;
20his final electoral position was as a member on the McLean
21County Board until 2017; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Alongside his wife Judy, Rich Buchanan was a
2recipient of the 2019 History Makers award hosted by the
3McLean County History Museum; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was committed to his faith; he
5enjoyed supporting all things connected to Bloomington-Normal;
6he loved performing barbershop with Bloomington's Sound of
7Illinois Chorus; he followed Redbird basketball and was a
8longtime supporter of local women's softball; he was a loyal
9fan to the Chicago Cubs for 73 years; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was known for his love of working a
11room and for always being upbeat, positive, and honest; he was
12very proud of his wife and his children; he was affectionately
13called "Papau" by his granddaughters; he will be remembered as
14a respected public servant and someone who always encouraged
15others; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan was preceded in death by his
17parents, three sisters, and one brother; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Rich Buchanan is survived by his wife; his
19children, Jennifer Buchanan, Julie (Mike Warren) Buchanan, and
20Gary Buchanan; his special granddaughters, Seabra Fae Holstein
21and Ellie Warren; his sister, Janyce Gross; his brother,
22Robert (Marilyn) Buchanan; his special nephews, Mike Ellington

 

 

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1and Mike Gross; and a host of nieces and nephews; therefore, be
2it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
5former Bloomington Mayor Richard D. "Rich" Buchanan and extend
6our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
7knew and loved him; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the family of Rich Buchanan as an expression of
10our deepest sympathy.