SR0519 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0519 LRB102 20099 ECR 28949 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Roland August Groce of Moline, who passed away on September 9, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Roland Groce was born to Marie Elizabeth (Koch) and Leo Arnold Groce in Rohrigshof, Germany on June 14, 1949; he and his mother emigrated to the United States when he was five years old to reunite the family in Rock Island, where he attended school; he served in the United States Army from March 27, 1969 until March 1, 1975, including one year in Vietnam; he was naturalized as an American citizen after he returned from Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Roland Groce retired from Alcoa as a brick mason after more than 33 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Roland Groce was an avid history buff and a lover of opera and classical music; he had a passion for collecting watches; he spent 37 years with the love of his life, Carol (Coulter) Becka, and they traveled extensively; and

WHEREAS, Roland Groce was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Roland Groce is survived by his partner, Carol; his younger sister, Linda Wakiyama; his nieces and nephews, Yumi, Mari, Kenji, and Hikaru; and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Kenji's children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Roland August Groce 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 Roland Groce as an expression of our deepest sympathy.