SR1311 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1311 LRB102 27746 LAW 39542 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph Eugene Sackett, who passed away on August 18, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 27, 1937; he was raised by Tilda Mae and Sam Vernon Sackett alongside his brothers, the late Don and Joe, in Collinsville, Illinois; he excelled in baseball in high school; he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, but instead he attended Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), where he played third baseman for the Titans throughout college; he married Alicia Ann Westwood during their senior year at IWU; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett began coaching the Bloomington Bobcats, an all-star college team, while earning his master's degree in Mathematics at Illinois State University; he then taught and coached numerous sports at Reddick and Octavia High Schools, Washington University, and Granite City High School before finishing his coaching career at Bloomington High School; under his direction, his baseball, cross country, and basketball teams all excelled; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett began a new career in banking with Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan in 1975, which took him and his family to Champaign; he went into real estate development, completing the Robeson Crossing development in southwest Champaign at the end of his working career; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett enjoyed golfing, fishing, and cheering for his St. Louis Cardinals; alongside his wife, he loved spending time with family and relaxing in Naples, Florida and at their cabin in the woods on Lake Napowan, Wisconsin; he was an avid fisherman and took great pleasure in fish fries around the fire with those he loved; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett was affectionately known as "Papa"; he will be remembered for his big bear hugs and his beautiful smile; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Ralph Sackett was survived by his wife of 61 years, Alicia; his children, Robb (Mary Beth), Jill Burton (Gregory), Todd (Kandi), and Matt (Jennifer); his 11 grandchildren; and his two great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ralph Eugene Sackett 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 Ralph Sackett as an expression of our deepest sympathy.