Full Text of SR0046 101st General Assembly
SR0046 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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| 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION
| 2 | | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to | 3 | | learn of the death of Wilburn Edward "Webbs" Norman of | 4 | | Rockford, who passed away on January 19, 2019; and
| 5 | | WHEREAS, Webbs Norman was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to | 6 | | David and Beulah Norman on March 16, 1933; his family moved to | 7 | | Central Illinois during his early years, and he was raised on a | 8 | | farm southwest of Rockford near Morrison; he graduated from | 9 | | Morrison High School in 1952; he attended the University of | 10 | | Illinois, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education in | 11 | | 1957 and a master's degree in parks and recreation | 12 | | administration in 1960; and
| 13 | | WHEREAS, Webbs Norman began his career with the Rockford | 14 | | Park District as a seasonal employee working at playground | 15 | | programs in 1955; in 1972, he was hired as the executive | 16 | | director of the park district, and he embraced his role as | 17 | | public servant and quickly became a highly-respected leader; he | 18 | | cared deeply for patrons and employees, as well as the Entire | 19 | | Rockford region; he led the development of many of the city's | 20 | | biggest recreational projects, including the Riverview Ice | 21 | | House, Forest City Queen and Trolley, Sportscore, Magic Waters, | 22 | | Aldeen Golf Club, Carlson Ice Arena Sapora Playworld, and the | 23 | | city's beloved bike path; under his leadership, the Park |
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| 1 | | District became a nationally recognized park system and was | 2 | | first awarded the prestigious national Gold Medal in parks and | 3 | | recreation management in 1989; the Park District's expansion | 4 | | and positive reputation in the community resulted from his | 5 | | ability to build trust and encourage people to become involved; | 6 | | he believed that the government's role was to fill needs and | 7 | | solve problems; he loved being a connector and delighted in | 8 | | bringing local and state agencies together to benefit the | 9 | | community; he retired in 2006; and
| 10 | | WHEREAS, After his retirement, Webbs Norman co-chaired the | 11 | | fundraising effort to build Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens on | 12 | | the Rock River; he also wrote Building a Lasting Dream: A | 13 | | History of the Rockford Park District 1909-2009; he was also | 14 | | widely known for holding court at a variety of restaurants in | 15 | | the community, and many people went to see him for life advice | 16 | | and inspiration; his personal philosophy was that no person was | 17 | | more important than anyone else, and he taught others the value | 18 | | of believing in people; and
| 19 | | WHEREAS, Webbs Norman was a longtime member of Zion | 20 | | Lutheran Church, where he worked the sound booth, served on | 21 | | committees, and regularly attended Sunday services; he also | 22 | | enjoyed serving as a member of the Loves Park Civil Service | 23 | | Commission; he was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending | 24 | | time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended |
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| 1 | | family members; a formidable and highly-competitive croquet | 2 | | player, he was often the victor of many backyard games; he | 3 | | viewed his family as his greatest legacy; and
| 4 | | WHEREAS, Webbs Norman was preceded in death by his parents; | 5 | | his brothers, Ralph, Kenny, and Dave; his son, Charlie; and his | 6 | | daughter, Kathy; and
| 7 | | WHEREAS, Webbs Norman is survived by his wife, Mary; his | 8 | | children, Dan (Maureen) and Patricia; and his stepson, Aaron | 9 | | (Jill) Dinges; his grandchildren, Katy, Ellie, and Abe; and his | 10 | | many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
| 11 | | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL | 12 | | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of | 13 | | Wilburn Edward "Webbs" Norman and extend our sincere | 14 | | condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved | 15 | | him; and be it further
| 16 | | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | 17 | | presented to the family of Webbs Norman as an expression of our | 18 | | deepest sympathy.
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