SR0519LRB102 20099 ECR 28949 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Roland August Groce of Moline, who
4passed away on September 9, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Roland Groce was born to Marie Elizabeth (Koch)
6and Leo Arnold Groce in Rohrigshof, Germany on June 14, 1949;
7he and his mother emigrated to the United States when he was
8five years old to reunite the family in Rock Island, where he
9attended school; he served in the United States Army from
10March 27, 1969 until March 1, 1975, including one year in
11Vietnam; he was naturalized as an American citizen after he
12returned from Vietnam; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Roland Groce retired from Alcoa as a brick mason
14after more than 33 years of service; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Roland Groce was an avid history buff and a lover
16of opera and classical music; he had a passion for collecting
17watches; he spent 37 years with the love of his life, Carol
18(Coulter) Becka, and they traveled extensively; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Roland Groce was preceded in death by his
20parents; and
 

 

 

SR0519- 2 -LRB102 20099 ECR 28949 r

1    WHEREAS, Roland Groce is survived by his partner, Carol;
2his younger sister, Linda Wakiyama; his nieces and nephews,
3Yumi, Mari, Kenji, and Hikaru; and his great-nieces and
4great-nephews, Kenji's children; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
7Roland August Groce and extend our sincere condolences to his
8family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
9further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Roland Groce as an expression of our
12deepest sympathy.