SR0967 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0967 LRB102 24975 MST 34230 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph Schuler of River Forest, who passed away on July 13, 2021 at the age of 89; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Schuler was born in Chicago to Ralph and Martha Schuler, who loved and pushed him; he adopted the same parenting style with his own children to great success; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Schuler grew up in Oak Park on Lombard Avenue; he raised his five children in the same home; though he attended Fenwick High School, his children were students at Oak Park and River Forest High School; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Schuler was a lifelong educator, specifically history; he began his teaching career at DePaul Academy and retired from East Leyden High School as the history department chairperson; he coached boys and girls tennis and was also a union steward; and

WHEREAS, Aside from tennis, which he played at the Oak Park Tennis Club, Ralph Schuler enjoyed reading poetry and literature; he wrote multiple free verse poems in Nags Head, North Carolina and was a dedicated member of the Old Bulls reading club; one of his favorite quotes was, "Don't let a few facts get in the way of a good story."; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Schuler valued his friendships with Don Gancer and Terry McCarthy, who was the best man in his wedding; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Schuler and his wife, Donna, ensured that their children were knowledgeable about history, recognized good music across genres, and ate food from different cultures; for a half-century, his children and grandchildren have traveled to Nags Head during the summer; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Schuler was compassionate, humorous, hospitable, an advocate for civil rights, and a White Sox fan; the Sox won the last game that he attended in the 10th inning; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Schuler is survived by his loving wife, Donna; his sister, Jane Cutt; his children, Rich, Laura (John) Reardon, Bill, Stephen (Mary Jo), and Stacy (Eric) Wettstein; his grandchildren, Matt, Nate, and Ellen Schuler, Keith, Audrey, and Caroline Reardon, Andrea and Ryan Schuler, and Julia and Anna Wettstein; and his great-grandchild, Presley Reardon; 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 Ralph Schuler 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 Ralph Schuler as an expression of our deepest sympathy.