HR0708 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0708 LRB102 26536 ECR 37141 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert "Bob" Ontiveros, who passed away on February 8, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Bob Ontiveros was born to John and Josephine Ontiveros on August 17, 1938 and was raised with his siblings in Moline; he attended Moline High School where he competed in wrestling, track and field, and basketball; after high school, he attended the University of Cincinnati and Moline Community College; he married Blenda Crummer in 1960, and the couple had two children, Christopher and Gregg; and

WHEREAS, Bob and Blenda Ontiveros founded Bi-State Packaging, now known as the Group O, in 1974; Group O has grown from a small family business to one of the largest and top-ranking Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States with over $500 million and 1,000 employees; and

WHEREAS, Bob Ontiveros was known for being an active member and supporter of his community and a man with integrity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a values-based outlook; he was a believer in the power of higher education who established scholarships that supported several Quad Cities Hispanic students attending college each year, and he donated to several area post-secondary institutions; he was a great supporter of the local community who donated to the Boys and Girls Club, founded the Greater Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, and funded construction of the Community Health Clinic to provide low-cost medical care; and

WHEREAS, Bob Ontiveros was highly recognized for his business and humanitarian efforts and earned several prestigious awards; he was inducted into several halls of fame, including the Minority Business Hall of Fame, the Black Hawk College Hall of Fame, and the Junior Achievement of the Heartland Business Hall of Fame; he was also a member of the Jeremiah Milbank Society and a recipient of an honorary doctorate from Augustana College; and

WHEREAS, Bob Ontiveros was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Maria Elena, Lawrence, Rita, and Steven; and

WHEREAS, Bob Ontiveros is survived by his wife, Blenda; his sons, Christopher (Pamela) and Gregg; his siblings, John (Laura), Frank (Lorna), Christine (Jeff) Reem, Joanne (Ray) Bender, Michael, and Cindy (Dave) Newton; and his grandchildren, Emma, Stella, and Anna Catherine; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert "Bob" Ontiveros 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 Bob Ontiveros as an expression of our deepest sympathy.