SR0396 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0396 LRB101 12325 MST 60240 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Keith Randall Erickson of Urbana, who passed away on April 26, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson was born in Chicago to Robert and Emilie (Sasko) Erickson on November 14, 1948; he graduated from Maine South High School in Park Ridge and attended Bradley University; he received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois and married Virginia Peverly in Clinton on July 26, 1980; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson was employed by the University of Illinois's Facilities and Services division for 40 years, most recently as the associate director of Utilities & Energy Services Distribution; he was an integral part of the construction of the university's solar farm; he was also employed part time as an electrical expert by Ruhl Forensic, Inc.; he was elected vice president of small utilities to the J.U.L.I.E. Board of Directors and was appointed the energy sector chief with InfraGard, a civilian FBI partner organization; he successfully completed the FBI Citizens Academy program; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson was a member of the Illinois and the National Society of Professional Engineers, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the National Safety Council, and the International Association of Electrical Inspectors; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson was the recipient of numerous awards during his professional career, including the Cecil Coleman Award for public safety, the Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Award, and the ISPE Professional Engineering Management Award; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson was an advocate of personal integrity and public safety; he served on the City of Urbana Building Safety Code Board of Appeals, the City of Urbana Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals, and the Champaign County Local Emergency Planning Committee; he was also a Republican precinct committeeman in Champaign County and a charter member of Copper Creek Church in Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson supported his children in their activities by coaching soccer, attending games, and timing swim meets; he was always eager to share his engineering and electrical knowledge with young students, Scouts, and university students; he was a judge for many years at the Engineering Open House; his favorite activities were spending time with his family, cheering on the Illini football and basketball teams, patrolling campus on foot with his cocker spaniel Coco, and vacationing in Door County, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Karen Potts; and

WHEREAS, Keith Erickson is survived by his wife, Virginia; his children, Cynthia (Bob) Heren and Kevin (Kari) Erickson; and his grandchildren, Lydia, Caleb, and Andrew; 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 Keith Randall Erickson 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 Keith Erickson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.