SR0784 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0784 LRB101 14925 MST 63928 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Scott Fuller, who passed away on September 13, 2019 at the age of 83; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller was born on February 12, 1936 to Lillian Faye and William Pope Fuller in Searcy, Arkansas and was lovingly referred to as "Bobby Scott" until his college years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller graduated from Searcy High School in 1954 and Hendrix College in 1958; he then earned a Master of Arts from Union Theological Seminary in New York City; he attended Julliard School of Music, where he studied under Israeli-born composer Abraham Kaplan; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller had many notable achievements while in New York, including serving as assistant director of the Collegiate Chorale at Julliard and performing in the Chorale at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with Leonard Bernstein as conductor; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller was an accomplished pianist and choral director; he took those talents to Jonesboro High School in Arkansas, where he taught choral music for 14 years; he also served as choral director for First United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller taught summer courses at Southern Illinois University and then accepted a job as choral director at Oak Park and River Forest High School; he later became director of the Fine Arts Department until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller founded the Heritage Chorale, a community choir for adults that continues his legacy; he served as a past-president of the Arkansas Choral Directors Association and the Illinois Chorale Directors Association; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller and his wife took choirs from Jonesboro and OPRF on a performances tour to Europe every two years; the group would always tour Vienna, Austria, his favorite city; he and his wife would return to Vienna as often as possible, independently of the choir; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller walked with crutches after contracting polio as a 10th-grade student in 1951; however, he never let his physical handicap stop him; he was a passionate gardener, fisherman, and carpenter; his musical knowledge and ability drew interest to his classes, but students stayed because of his playful sense of humor and kindness; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller had such a lasting impact on his students that a reunion performance named Fuller Fest was organized in his honor; students travelled from all around the country to participate in a weekend-long event that culminated in a benefit concert; a scholarship dedicated to him has since been established to honor the beloved teacher and mentor that he was; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller was preceded in death by his parents and his infant twin siblings; and

WHEREAS, Robert Fuller is survived by his wife, Anita Hart Fuller; his children, Christopher Scott (Tina) Fuller and Karen Harrison Fuller; his grandchildren, Madison Fuller (Jonathan) Turner, Kennedy Blaise Keasler, Harrison Quinn Keasler, Zac Morgan, and Rheanna Morgan; his brother, Bill (Cheryl) Fuller; and his sister, Ruth Ann Fuller; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Fuller 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 Fuller as an expression of our deepest sympathy.