SR0887 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0887 LRB098 18049 MST 53178 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert H. "Bob" Coyle of Peoria, who passed away on January 17, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Robert Coyle was born on January 1, 1926 in Peoria to Henry and Helen (nee Kern) Coyle; he attended St. Bernard's Grade School and Peoria High School, where he served as class president, student body president, and Mid-State Student Council President, and he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout; he served his country in the United States Army Air Corps as a flight crew radio operator over the North Atlantic during World War II; he married Shirley Ann Critchlow on August 28, 1948; and

WHEREAS, Following his service in the military, Robert Coyle earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois and began his career at the Caterpillar Tractor Company; he spent 35 years in sales and marketing, representing Caterpillar all over North America and as far away as Tokyo, Japan; he retired as the Global Sales Manager in December of 1983; and

WHEREAS, After retirement, Robert Coyle founded his own company, the R.M. Coyle Company of Peoria, Inc. on January 2, 1984; the company steadily grew, changing its name to the Coyle Insurance Agency and finally merging with another company to form Gallagher Coyle in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Robert Coyle enjoyed spending time with family and friends and playing golf at the Country Club of Peoria and at clubs in Alabama and Arizona; he was a member of Rotary North and a dedicated fan of the Chicago Bears and of all the "Illini" teams; he was also a member of St. Philomena Parish; and

WHEREAS, Robert Coyle was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Timothy Critchlow Coyle; his sisters, Margaret (Jack) Bulger and Claire (Henry) Huser; and his brothers, William (Joan), Phillip (Sally), and John (Susan) Coyle; and

WHEREAS, Robert Coyle is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Shirley; his children, Susan Marie (Richard) Gualandi, Robert Michael (Lynn) Coyle, Bonnie Kathleen (Terry) Essington, Peter Thomas (Katherine) Coyle, and Mary Colleen (Christopher) Mathis; his 13 grandchildren; his 13 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Alice (Dick) Healy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert H. "Bob" Coyle, 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 Robert Coyle as an expression of our deepest sympathy.