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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Richard M. Hadfield of Springfield,
4who passed away on April 1, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield was born to Earl and Wilma
6(Merrell) Hadfield in Ewing, Missouri on October 18, 1931; he
7attended Ewing schools, where he excelled in math and science
8and played basketball; he received an associate's degree from
9Hannibal LaGrange College, where he played as a guard and
10center on the school's basketball team; he earned his Bachelor
11of Science from the University of Missouri in 1954; he then
12volunteered to serve in the Veterinary Corps of the U.S. Army
13and was stationed in California for the two years of his
14service; he married Connie Lou Murphy in 1957; he earned his
15Master of Arts from Truman University; he received his
16Educational Specialist degree from Western Illinois
17University; he participated in the doctoral program at
18Illinois State University; and
 
19    WHEREAS, During his summers in college, Richard Hadfield
20worked as a roughneck in the oil fields in Midland, Texas; he
21also helped his grandfather on the family farm and worked in
22the farm co-op that his father managed; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Upon beginning his career in education, Richard
2Hadfield taught trigonometry, calculus, and various science
3and agriculture courses in high schools in Ilasco and
4Hannibal, Missouri; he was hired as superintendent of
5Meredosia-Chambersburg Community Unit School District (CUSD)
6#11 in Illinois in 1962, where he led the effort to construct a
7new junior high school building and gymnasium; he continued
8his career as superintendent of El Paso-Gridley CUSD #11 in
91972, where he pursued the construction of a new grade school;
10he then served as superintendent of Williamsville-Sherman CUSD
11#15, where he provided 16 years of exemplary service until his
12retirement in 1994; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Over the course of his career, Richard Hadfield
14took his position as superintendent beyond its traditional
15role, maintaining his commercial driver's license (CDL) to
16assist with transporting teams, visiting with support staff
17daily, rarely missing any extracurricular programs, and often
18sponsoring various field trips, including teaching students
19skiing in the winters and water skiing in the summers;
20throughout his tenure as superintendent, he retained his
21impassioned focus on the welfare and future of his students;
22and
 
23    WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield served on many boards and
24committees, including the Illinois Educators Credit Union for

 

 

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1over 30 years, the Sangamon Menard County Regional Board of
2Trustees, the Sangamon State University Round Table, the
3Sangamon County Schoolmasters, the Sangamon Area Special
4Education District, the Meredosia Lions Club, the Kiwanis
5Clubs of El Paso and Williamsville/Sherman, and the Calvary
6Church Board; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield was an avid boater and water
8skier, and he enjoyed his home on the Lake of the Ozarks, where
9he spent most of his time during retirement; he also enjoyed
10golfing with friends; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield committed to his faith at an
12early age, becoming known for living as a model of its
13teachings; above all else, he was a devoted husband and father
14who dedicated most of his free time to his family and church;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield was preceded in death by his
17parents and his brothers, Roger and Ramon Hadfield; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield is survived by his wife, Connie
19Hadfield; his daughter, MayeBeth Hadfield; his sister, Ruth
20Ann (Barr) McReynolds; his sisters-in-law, Shirley Hadfield
21and Donna Hadfield; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins;
22therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Richard M. Hadfield and extend our sincere condolences to his
4family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Richard Hadfield as an expression
8of our deepest sympathy.