SR0777 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0777 LRB103 39592 MST 69874 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lt. Col. Lester Dale Bergsten of Peoria, who passed away on February 10, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Bergsten was born in Concordia, Kansas to Samuel and Florence (Smith) Bergsten on July 8, 1930; he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas; he served four years in ROTC and upon graduation received a second lieutenant commission in the United States Air Force; he married Jeanette Elsie Griggs in Delphos, Kansas on January 25, 1953; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Bergsten was called to active duty during the Korean War; he served on active duty and reserve assignments for 37 years with the United States Air Force; during his tenure, he was an instructor on the atomic bomb; later, he served as a liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy for 20 years in Central Illinois, counseling students from area high schools and Illinois Central College; he received numerous commendations from the United States Air Force, including National Defense, USAF 20 Years of Reserve Service, Air Force Service, the Outstanding Unit Award (twice), and the Air Force Commendation; after 37 years of service with the United States Air Force, he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Bergsten worked at Caterpillar, Inc. as an engineer for 40 years, retiring in 1992; he had assignments at the Peoria Proving Ground, the Gas Turbine Engine Division, and the Product Safety and Environmental Control Division; he was a registered professional engineer in the states of California and Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Bergsten served on the Peoria City Council as the District 5 Councilman for 20 years from 1973 to 1993; on his retirement from the city council, he was honored by having the Peoria Public Works Facility on Dries Lane named after him; one of his key assignments while on the city council was working on a joint city-county committee that oversaw the construction and operations of three Peoria City/Peoria County landfills; he served on this committee for over 44 years; he was a key person in planning the annexation of Pioneer Industrial Park and Willow Knolls Shopping Center to the City of Peoria; he was active in the Republican Party and served as a precinct committeeman for many years; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Bergsten was a member of a number of organizations, including Pi Tau Sigma and the Society of Automotive Engineers; he held life memberships in the Silver Falcon Association, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Air Force Association, and the Reserve Officers Association; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Bergsten was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Jeanette; his parents; his son, Paul Lester Bergsten; and his grandson, Houston Lee Arrowood; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Bergsten is survived by his children, Dr. Eric Dale (Rebecca) Bergsten and Ann Lee Arrowood; his grandchildren, Tova and Galen Bergsten; and his great-grandchildren, Jase and Macy Arrowood; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lt. Col. Lester Dale Bergsten 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 Lt. Col. Bergsten as an expression of our deepest sympathy.