SR0819 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0819 LRB102 26136 LAW 35682 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Carl R. Meyer of Champaign, who passed away on January 26, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer was born to Cloyce and Marjorie Sterling Meyer in Cygnet, Ohio on February 12, 1940; he was educated in Ohio, graduating from North Baltimore High School in 1958 and Findlay College in 1962, during which he helped run the family farm and was named all-Ohio in football; he received his master's degree from Bowling Green State University in 1963; he married Wava Kerr in Findlay on January 27, 1961; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer coached high school football in Ohio at Perrysburg, Warren, and Mt. Vernon; he then coached college football at Dartmouth College from 1969 to 1970 and the University of Illinois from 1971 to 1976; and

WHEREAS, After coaching, Carl Meyer joined Cozad Financial as an insurance sales recruiter and was awarded Rookie of the Year by College Life; he served as an analyst on the Bromar Sports Radio Network for Illinois football games with Dick Martin and Jim Grabowski from 1977 to 1982; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer started his athletic administration and fundraising career with the opening of the University of Illinois I Fund office in Chicago in 1980, followed by fundraising at the University of Arizona from 1982 to 1985 before becoming athletic director at the University of Cincinnati from 1985 to 1988; he served the Miami Hurricanes of the University of Miami from 1989 to 1992, receiving two national championship rings; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer joined his son Eric as an owner of Pia's Sports Bar & Grill in Champaign from 1992 to 1997; he was executive director of the Parkland College Foundation from 1997 to 2013, where he was instrumental in the development of the college's Tony Noel Agricultural Technology Applications Center, the Parkhill Applied Technology Center, the Prairie Gardens Plant Lab, the Donald Dodds Jr. Athletic Center, and in the founding of the college's athletic hall of fame; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer was a longtime member of Champaign Rotary, serving as president in 2009; he served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, the Carle Foundation, the University of Findlay, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, and others; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer received a number of accolades, including being named Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the East Central Illinois Chapter, receiving the 2008 Merit Award by the Varsity "I" Association at the University of Illinois, and being named the 2009 Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year; he was inducted into the University of Findlay Hall of Fame; he was awarded an honorary degree from Parkland College in 2013; he was also recognized in The News-Gazette's "Seventy over 70" Class of 2020; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer was an avid runner until late in life; he was a great listener who could connect with everyone; he will be remembered for his high level of integrity and modesty; and

WHEREAS, Carl Meyer is survived by his wife of 61 years, Wava; his children, Eric (Donna) Meyer, Scott Meyer, and Sheryl (Jeff) Stanley; his sister, Marjeane Taulbee; and his grandchildren, Zachary Meyer, Macklin (Lauren) Meyer, Madison Stanley, and Jack Stanley; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Carl R. Meyer 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 Carl Meyer as an expression of our deepest sympathy.