SR1207 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1207 LRB101 21578 LAW 72505 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harvey John Schweitzer Jr. Ph.D., of Champaign, who passed away on March 28, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was born in Malta to Harvey Schweitzer Sr. and Anna (Wright) Schweitzer on June 1, 1919; he graduated from DeKalb High School, where he was active in 4-H and FFA, earning the American Farmer degree in 1937 and serving as the national FFA student secretary from 1938 to 1939; he graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1946; he earned his master's degree in rural sociology and agricultural economics from Michigan State University in 1948; he received his doctorate in rural sociology from the University of Wisconsin in 1958; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer operated his family farm from 1950 to 1962; during this time, he served as the South Grove Township Farm Bureau director, a county school board member, and a township director in the Farmers Home Administration; he also served on the advisory committee for the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer joined the Agricultural Economics Department at the University of Illinois in 1962; he served first as an extension specialist in rural sociology and later as an assistant director of the Cooperative Extension Service and in the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station; during his last year, he was instrumental in establishing programs in rural development and sustainable agriculture; he retired as professor emeritus in agricultural economics from the Extension Service in 1985 and from the Experiment Station in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was involved in several professional societies and held numerous leadership positions in state, regional, and national research and extension committees; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John; a great-granddaughter; and two sisters; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schweitzer is survived by his wife, April; his children, David (Cathy) Schweitzer, Elaine (Brian) Chaille, Jennifer Rojas, John (Kathryn) Byers, and Jeffrey Byers; his grandchildren, Krista (Matt) Reimer, Melissa (Nick) Perez, Gabe Chaille, Christian Chaille, Elijah Rojas, Melanie Rojas, Levi Rojas, Megan Watkins, John Byers, Dean Byers, and Noah Byers; and four great-grandchildren; 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 Harvey John Schweitzer Jr. Ph.D., 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 Dr. Schweitzer as an expression of our deepest sympathy.