HR0302 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0302 LRB095 11835 GRL 34871 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives is saddened to learn of the passing of Rodney "Rocky" Rockenbach, formerly of Grayslake, who passed away on March 30, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rockenbach was born on June 5, 1917; he was the eleventh born child to Almon and Elizabeth (Catlow) Rockenbach; he graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1935, then attended one year of college at Northern Illinois University, finishing his degree at night schools in Elgin and Waukegan; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rockenbach worked for his brother Robert at Rockenbach Chevrolet Sales in Grayslake; after the death of his brother in 1944 Mr. Rockenbach and his nephew Douglas purchased Rockenbach Chevrolet Sales; he ran the business as President until 1974 when he sold the business to his partner; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rockenbach joined the Grayslake Volunteer Fire Department in December 1944, was appointed Assistant Chief in 1951 and became Chief in November 1954; he retired in November 1993 as Chief after 48 years of service; in September 1979, he became the first volunteer fire chief to become President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs in its 120 years of existence; he was also a member of the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association and the North Eastern Illinois Fire Chiefs Association; he was past Director, past Secretary-Treasurer, and past President of the South Wisconsin-Northern Illinois Firemen's Association; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rockenbach was very active in the Grayslake community, participating in many local organizations; he was a life member of the Grayslake Lions Club since 1944, serving as President from 1951-1952 and as Treasurer from 2005-2006; he was a charter member of the Grayslake Exchange Club and the United Protestant Church; he was also a life member of the Grayslake Historical Society; he served 28 consecutive years on the Avon Township Board of Trustees; he was elected "Man of the Year" by the Grayslake Jaycees, as well as receiving Lake County's P.R.O.U.D. Award; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rockenbach moved to the town of Bloomfield, Wisconsin in May 1993; he served for 3 years as President of the Tuscany Property Association; he also served on the Bloomfield Public Works Committee, and was elected Supervisor on the Town Board in 2000, serving as Supervisor until his death; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rockenbach was preceded in death by his parents, Almon and Elizabeth (Catlow) Rockenbach; his brothers, Robert, George, Joseph, Raymond, and Lyle; his sisters, Esther Mills, Ruth Hare, Elizabeth Wolf, and Shirley Spear; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rockenbach is survived by his wife, Doris; his children, Cynthia Lee, Wayne (Karen) Rockenbach, Edward (Nancy) Bluhm III, and Georgia (Steven) Fleming; his grandchildren, Kathryn (James) Johnson, Jeffrey (Deborah) Lee, Bryan (Jeanine) Lee, Kristin (Timothy) Mahoney, Carolyn (Christopher) Sipiora, Kenneth Rockenbach, Edward Bluhm IV, Alexandra, Zachary, and Ryan Fleming; his great grandchildren, Michael Knight, Tyler and Trevor Santi, Tiffany, Jack Rodney and Abigail Lee, William, Grace, Chloe Mahoney, Eric, Emma, Marlee and Avery Sipiora; his sisters, Mary Knox, Dorothy Forsythe, Sarah Belcher; his brother Philip Rockenbach; his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Rodney "Rocky" Rockenbach; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rodney "Rocky" Rockenbach as an expression of our deepest sympathy.