SR0805 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0805 LRB102 25934 LAW 35311 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert "Bob" Goalby of Belleville, who passed away on January 20, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Bob Goalby was born in Belleville on March 14, 1929; he was the son of George Goalby and Helen (Towers) Goalby; he began caddying in 1936 and won a caddy championship at the age of 13; he graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1947; he attended the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University Carbondale; he served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952; he was an outstanding all-around athlete, playing football and baseball in high school, attending the University of Illinois on a football scholarship, pitching and playing outfield for the Salukis baseball team after his transfer to SIU, and playing on a division football team while serving in the Army; and

WHEREAS, Bob Goalby became a professional golfer after his military service; he was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1958; during his career, he won 11 PGA Tour events with the most prestigious being the 1968 Masters; he remains the only man born in the St. Louis area to capture one of golf's major championships; and

WHEREAS, Bob Goalby served as an analyst and television commentator for NBC Sports; he also designed many golf courses; and

WHEREAS, Bob Goalby was one of the founding forces of the Senior PGA Tour, serving on the committee that designed the concept and sitting on the tournament's board for 16 years; and

WHEREAS, Bob Goalby dedicated his life to the growth of sports throughout the country, especially in the Belleville area; he was a role model to many; and

WHEREAS, Bob Goalby was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Bob Goalby is survived by his wife, Arlene Goalby; his sons, Kye (Paige) Goalby, Kelly (Julia) Goalby, and Kevin Goalby; his grandchildren, Katherine, Claudia, Frances, and Robert II; his stepchildren, Kathy (Keith) Lance, Steve (Terri) Abeln, and Ann (Dennis) Nadler; his sister, Shirley Haas; his niece, Cindy (Joe) May; and his nephews, Jay (Jan) Haas and Jerry (Elizabeth) Haas; 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 Robert "Bob" Goalby 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 Goalby as an expression of our deepest sympathy.