SR0724 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0724 LRB103 37087 LAW 67205 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Richard P. "Dick" Robinson of Springfield, who passed away on January 1, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson was born to Robert Junior and Doris Mason Robinson in Sebring, Florida on December 22, 1942; he graduated from the Air Force Military Dependents High School in Madrid, Spain; he attended college at Colorado State University at Pueblo, Lincoln College, and the University of Illinois Springfield; he served in the U.S. Air Force from October 1961 to October 1965, achieving the rank of airman first class; he married Marie Cunningham Malek on November 19, 1993; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson earned a reputation as a committed and effective State of Illinois administrator and community service leader; during his public service career, he served in the offices of the Illinois Secretary of State, the Illinois Attorney General, and the Illinois Department of Human Services; he also participated in the political process, working for Jim Edgar's successful election campaign for Illinois Governor in 1990; and

WHEREAS, In the Secretary of State's office, Dick Robinson helped lead an initiative to return state license plate manufacturing to Illinois, moving it to a non-profit entity to employ persons with disabilities; as deputy director of Business Services, he also played a role in implementing the State of Illinois' Limited Liability Companies Act, and he presented the State's then-groundbreaking program nationally; he retired from public service in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson was a proud and active member of Rotary International, beginning in Lincoln in 1977, and he later belonged to the Springfield Sunrise Club; he served as club president from 1998 to 1999 and as district governor for Rotary District 6460 from 2006 to 2007; he was a Paul Harris Fellow and a Rotary Foundation Benefactor; he represented Rotary International during the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals World Championship season, even throwing out the first pitch at Busch Stadium; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson served on the local board of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Epilepsy Foundation District Board, and SPARC; he also served as vice chairman for the International Association of Corporate Administrators; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson was an avid fan of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Dallas Cowboys; he participated in a Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in September 2022; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Dick Robinson is survived by his wife, Marie Malek Robinson; his brother, Charles Arthur (Susan) Robinson; his sisters, Cheryl Williams and Doris (Kevin) Funk; his children, Eric (Kim) Robinson, Dana (Kim) Robinson, Joe (Seanna) Malek, and Jason (Karly) Malek; his grandchildren, Emily Robinson, Bayley Robinson (Sam) Cooper, Braidy Robinson, Alena Malek, Claire Carmean, Joey Malek, and Addie Malek; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Richard P. "Dick" Robinson 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 Dick Robinson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.