SR0886 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0886 LRB101 16119 MST 65483 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles "Norman" Brown Jr. of Normal, who passed away on December 10, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Norman Brown was born in Ames, Iowa to Verna Eunice Hughes and Charles Norman Brown Sr. on January 2, 1930; he graduated from Ames High School in 1947, where he served as class president and participated in athletics; he graduated from Iowa State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science and in 1953 with a Master of Science in Agronomy; he was tapped for the Cardinal Key, the highest honor for men, and served as president of the University YMCA and Delta Upsilon Fraternity; he sang in numerous quartets and choirs; he married Ruth K.L. Andersen in 1952; and

WHEREAS, Following four years of ROTC, Norman Brown was inducted into the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant in 1953, where he completed pilot flight training; he was a veteran of the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, retiring as lieutenant colonel and command pilot in 1973; he lived in 10 states and four overseas countries and visited many others; and

WHEREAS, Norman Brown flew corporate aircraft for the General Telephone Co. (Verizon) from the Bloomington airport for 15 years; his piloting career consisted of approximately 13,000 flights in aircraft from the little yellow Piper Cub to the eight engine B-52 bomber; his photo with a GTE Beech airplane was on the cover of Professional Pilot Magazine in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Norman Brown worked for decades with his family in real estate and farming; he was a longtime member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Normal, serving in various capacities; he also participated in the Ecumenical Walk to Emmaus/Great Banquet, including its prison ministries; he was a longtime member of Illinois State University Senior Professionals and the College Alumni Club, where he served as president; he sang in the choir for the Bloomington American Passion Play for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Norman Brown married Carolyn Lee Kuhlman in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Norman Brown enjoyed time with family and friends, farming, hunting, aviation, motor vehicles, music, Christian ministries, travel, and reading; he especially liked motorized machines and kept several antique vehicles running; he restored and maintained the home, buildings, and grounds on the farmstead where his family has lived since 1986; he graciously shared the farmstead with other individuals and groups, including for weddings and picnics; and

WHEREAS, Norman Brown was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Ruth; his parents; his sister, Elsie Huber; his brother, Wayne Brown; and his son-in-law, Bill Shewman; and

WHEREAS, Norman Brown is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his brother, Keith Brown; his children, Tannia Shewman, Laurine Brown, Blaine (Susan) Brown, and Clinton (Debbie) Brown; his grandchildren, Nada (Jeremy) Stahmer, Melea (Spencer) Tejedas, Dane (Jasmine) Shewman, Shelby (Isaac) Heath, Preston, Cheylane, Alia, and Rianne Brown, and Ian, Bryce, Evan, and Brynn Kuhlman; his great-grandchildren, Ruthie, Zac, Liam, and Landon Stahmer, Anistyn and Levi Heath, and Ayla Shewman; and his stepsons, Robert (Melissa) and Charles Kuhlman; 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 Charles "Norman" Brown Jr. 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 Norman Brown as an expression of our deepest sympathy.