Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0464

HR0464 LRB104 15311 MST 28465 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Richard E. "Hap" Northern of Quincy, who passed away on September 2, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Richard Northern was born to Harold Perry and Wilma Northern in Quincy on September 1, 1927; in his youth, he was well-known in Quincy, serving as president of the student council at Quincy Senior High School, where he also played football, and working as one of the first paperboys for the Quincy Herald Whig; upon graduating high school, he attended Gem City Business College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Administration, majoring in business and accounting; and

WHEREAS, Richard Northern enlisted in the Illinois National Guard on June 23, 1948; he first saw action during the Korean War in 1952, being assigned to the 314th Ammunition Group in Seoul, South Korea; and

WHEREAS, Richard Northern became known as a "maverick" within the U.S. military, serving as an enlisted soldier and holding every enlisted rank from private to sergeant major and then every officer rank from second lieutenant to brigadier general; and

WHEREAS, During Richard Northern's tenure of service, he was responsible for three detachments and 15 reserve force officers, ranging from warrant officer to colonel in the Army National Guard, U.S. Navy Reserve, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Air Force Reserve, and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve; ultimately, he was responsible for the health and readiness of the State of Illinois during peacetime and in the event of mobilization of the draft; and

WHEREAS, Richard Nathan selflessly served our country in the Illinois National Guard for 39 years, retiring from the military at the rank of brigadier general in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Richard Nathan owned and operated his own real estate company, Northern Realty, for 52 years; he brokered in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Texas, and he also sold property to the Salvation Army, which is now the location of the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center; and

WHEREAS, Richard Nathan first became active in Republican politics when he returned from the Korean War; he served as a Republican precinct committeeman for 67 years and an Adams County Republican chairman for 37 years; he also served as a mentor, advocate, and sometimes campaign manager to many candidates and elected officials for state, county, and city office throughout his lifetime; additionally, he served as a delegate at two Republican National Conventions and was a former Illinois Republican Party chairman; and

WHEREAS, Richard Northern will be remembered as a selfless and dedicated son, husband, father, and soldier; and

WHEREAS, Richard Northern was preceded in death by his wife, Shirlee JoAnn Bankson Northern; his parents; and his sisters, Connie (EV "Cowboy") Northern Riehn and Marilyn Northern Niebur; and

WHEREAS, Richard Northern is survived by his daughter, Natalie D. (Todd Franklin) Northern; his son, Richard E. "Rick" (Beth Parchim) Northern II; his brother-in-law, Robert F. Niebur; his nephew, Brett (Cindy) Niebur; his great-niece, Michelle (Tench Coxe) Niebur; his great-nephew, Matthew (Niki) Niebur, and their son, Bodie; his niece, Angela (John) Niebur McGrath; his great-nephew, Chase (Michelle) McGrath, and their sons, Cillian, Mickey, and Jameson; and his great-nephew, Cully (Amy) McGrath, and their daughter, Maeve; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Richard E. "Hap" Northern 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 Richard Northern as an expression of our deepest sympathy.