SR1189LRB101 15696 MST 65051 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Robert Earl "Bob" Trotter, who passed
4away on November 21, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bob Trotter was born on November 30, 1955; he
6contracted polio at nine months but never let that stop him; he
7graduated from Spaulding High School and from the University of
8Illinois, where he received his bachelor's degree in
9therapeutic recreation and starred for the Gizz Kids as a
10forward all four years; he received his varsity letter in 1978;
11he went on to earn a master's degree in occupational therapy;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Bob Trotter began working for the Therapeutic
14Recreation Department at Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County;
15after a few years, he moved into a similar position at the
16Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), where he developed
17its wheelchair sports program; he developed the city's first
18youth wheelchair basketball team, the RIC Dawgs, and the first
19tournaments for youth in the mid-1980s; he was instrumental in
20the development of the Inaugural Junior National Wheelchair
21Basketball Tournament in Munster, Indiana in 1993; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Bob Trotter's post-collegiate playing career

 

 

SR1189- 2 -LRB101 15696 MST 65051 r

1spanned over 15 years with the Chicago Pacemakers; the Chicago
2Sun-Times and the Chicago Morning Defender followed his games
3and named him athlete of the year; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Bob Trotter was the father of wheelchair
5basketball in Chicago and the State of Illinois and a great
6friend of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association
7(NWBA); his efforts in developing opportunities for youth with
8disabilities laid the foundation for the NWBA Junior Division;
9because of his efforts, many alumni of his program earned a
10college degree and went on to rewarding careers; he was
11inducted into the NWBA Intercollegiate Division Hall of Fame in
122003; he was a gregarious, giving person and used his personal
13charm, wit, and humor to overcome any obstacle when it came to
14ensuring that inner-city kids and young adults would have the
15opportunity to play wheelchair basketball; from 1982 to 2002,
16everyone in Chicago who played or coached wheelchair basketball
17was touched in some positive way by his presence; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Bob Trotter was affectionately known as "Uncle
19Bobby"; he enjoyed camping, sports, and a libation now and
20then; he was baptized at the Soul Reviving Church and joined
21the Sweet Holy Spirit Church in 1982; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Bob Trotter was preceded in death by his nephew,
23Allen Willis II; and
 

 

 

SR1189- 3 -LRB101 15696 MST 65051 r

1    WHEREAS, Bob Trotter is survived by his sister, Constance;
2his brothers, Pastor Ronald (Marilyn) and Bishop Larry D.
3Trotter; his cousin, Arthur; his adopted sisters, Dianne
4Clemmons and Gloria Robinson; his aunt, Ada Brown; and his
5nephews and nieces, Latrice Inez, Laurice Deymein, Javon Denen,
6Antwan, Brandi Lavcretia, Larry D. Trotter II, Jolie, Joie,
7Robbin (Tremaine) Nicole, Jaliel, Tianna, Philip, and
8Tiashawn; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
11Robert Earl "Bob" Trotter and extend our sincere condolences to
12his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the family of Bob Trotter as an expression of our
16deepest sympathy.