SR0561 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0561 LRB103 35060 ECR 65011 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Frederick Troelstrup of Oak Park, who passed away on September 20, 2023 at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup was born in Columbia, Missouri; he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri in 1962; he then joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was a part of the Strategic Air Command and later served as a reserve until 1969; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup earned his Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law in 1969; he later moved to Chicago in 1977 and then to Oak Park in 1979, where he pursued a standout law career and remarkable volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup practiced law for over 40 years before retiring from his private practice, the Troelstrup Law Office, in Oak Park in the late 2010s; his legal colleagues recognized him as a fine person and true friend, and will greatly miss his wisdom, guidance, and wonderful sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup's volunteering led him to serve in multiple organizations, including the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County Inc., the Fillmore Center for Human Services, CEDA Near West, the Children's Museum of Oak Park-River Forest, Pillars Community Services, the Oak Park Area Arts Council, the Oak Park-River Forest Gang and Drug Task Force, and the Citizen Involvement Committee as chair; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup was a longtime friend and volunteer of the Democratic Party of Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup's commitment to public service included serving as an elected trustee of the Village of Oak Park from 1993 to 1997, where he was instrumental in the passage of the State's first domestic partnership registry in Oak Park in 1997; he was honored for his many successes with an Outstanding Alumni Award by the Columbia Public Schools Foundation in 2010; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup was also an accomplished father, taking care of his many children while maintaining his robust professional life, doing both with flair, love, and joy; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup gifted his children with a lifetime of memories, pastimes, irreverent turns of phrase, inappropriate jokes at inopportune times, and a relentless and all-encompassing love and compassion; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup always had a way with quirky and lesser-known words, challenging his children to pronounce or spell the words at the dinner table; his children also remember his famous "up-downs," reciting the name of each president on each coin before they could claim their weekly allowance, and his love for Mackinac Island, Michigan and their daily family walks around the island; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup was an incredible example of a good community member; he picked up trash on his daily miles-long walks around town, taking care of himself and the Earth, opting to travel by foot over car whenever possible; he also enjoyed supporting local businesses and could talk for hours on any subject, and he often enjoyed doing so at one of his favorite spots, George's Restaurant on Oak Park Avenue; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup was preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Arch Troelstrup; his siblings, William Stumper, Glenn Stumper, and Susan L. Stumper; and his son, John F. Troelstrup Jr.; and

WHEREAS, John Troelstrup is survived by his children, Tate (Katie) Troelstrup, Paige (Geoffrey) Dunmore, Holms (Conan Calhoun) Troelstrup, Roo Troelstrup, Sam Troelstrup, Toper (Danielle) Troelstrup, Tilly Troelstrup, and Gunny (Hayley Kassel) Troelstrup; his former spouse, Sandy Lowry; and 11 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Frederick Troelstrup 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 John Troelstrup as an expression of our deepest sympathy.