SR1039 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1039 LRB100 15371 ALS 30345 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert "Bob" V. Fox of Danville, who passed away on October 12, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox was born in Danville to George F. and Rhoda Jones Fox on March 14, 1927; he was a lifelong resident of Danville and attended Cannon, Garfield, and Liberty Schools; he graduated from Danville High School, where he participated in cross country and wrestling, in 1945; while a junior in high school, he enlisted in the Headquarters Company of the Illinois Militia and was called to flood duty in Peoria and Cape Girardeau, Missouri; before his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Saidor during World War II; he married Carryl J. Winfield in Danville on May 7, 1950; and

WHEREAS, Following his service in the United States Navy, Bob Fox was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Danville as a Central Office Technician for 35 years; he retired in 1982; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work at Illinois Bell, Bob Fox also served in various public offices; he was Assistant Supervisor of Newell Township and a member of the Vermilion County Board; he later ran for Newell Township Supervisor and held that office for 20 years; he was then again elected to the Vermilion County Board and served until 2016; at one time, he was on the City of Danville's Planning and Zoning Commission; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox was active in Republican politics throughout his adult life; he served as a Republican precinct committeeman for 60 years and worked tirelessly to get the candidates he supported elected; he was an Illinois delegate for George H.W. Bush at the Republican National Convention in New Orleans; after Bush's election, he and his wife were guests at the inauguration in Washington D.C.; he also ran as an alternate convention delegate for Jeb Bush in 2016; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox was a 72-year member of the First Presbyterian Church and a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 210, where he served as commander during the time the present Roselawn Clubhouse was built; he had fond memories of presenting trophies to the winners of the Golden Gloves and called the Legion his second home; he was a 69-year member of the Elks Lodge 332; he was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 728, the Vermilion County Voiture 405 of the 40/8, which is the honor society of the American Legion, Telephone Pioneers of America, and Anchor Lodge 980 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, where he was raised to a Master Mason in 1964; he was his Navy ship's reunion coordinator, a Life Member of the Escort Sailors and Airmen Association, and a member of the Danville Noon Kiwanis; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox also held memberships with the American Association of Retired Persons and the Illinois Association of County Board Members; he was a charter member of the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the first chairman of the E-911 board for many years; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox's greatest honor was when the Newell Township and the Vermilion County Boards named a bridge after him in recognition of his 20 years of service to Newell Township; he was also honored by the Republican Party at the Lincoln Day Dinner in 2016; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox was a proud American and citizen of Danville and Vermilion County; he never met a stranger and valued the relationships he established with so many people in Danville; he was proud of his family and their achievements; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Barbara and Dorothy; and

WHEREAS, Bob Fox is survived by his wife, Carryl; his children, Teresa (Jim) Novaria and Kenyon (Susan) Fox; his grandchildren, Katie Novaria, Andrew (Christine) Novaria, Nathan Novaria, and Sullivan and Delaney Fox; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert "Bob" V. Fox 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 Bob Fox as an expression of our deepest sympathy.