SR0914 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0914 LRB103 40245 ECR 72201 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Edward Ragsdale, M.D., who passed away on March 10, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale was born to Floyd and Elizabeth Ragsdale in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 24, 1939; he graduated first in his class from the University of Arkansas and then attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he specialized in radiology; he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1968, serving in active duty until 1970; he married Meredith Smith in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale joined the staff at Alton Memorial Hospital in 1970, where he became chairman of the Department of Radiology and was one of the hospital's longest-serving doctors; he was also medical director of the Twin Rivers MRI Center and was active as a frequent speaker and advocate in county and state medical societies; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale also worked diligently within Republican politics, serving as chairman of the Madison County Republican Party from 1976 to 1994 and chairman of the Alton-Godfrey-Foster County Republicans from 1995 to 2016; he was elected to serve as a delegate for Ronald Reagan at the Republican National Convention in both 1980 and 1984; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale was well-known in the community of Alton, where he lived and worked for more than 50 years; his dedication, brilliance, and resourcefulness earned him a number of awards and recognitions, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Alton Memorial Hospital in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale loved medicine and politics, and he was also passionate about his 160-acre cattle farm; he enjoyed fishing, duck hunting, traveling, camping, and spending time in nature; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale was a doctor, a politician, a farmer, a proud veteran, an Eagle Scout, and a friend to many; he will be remembered for his high-impact life; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ragsdale is survived by his wife of 55 years, Meredith; his children, Lynda Davey, Alan Ragsdale, and Phillip Ragsdale; his son-in-law, Tim Davey; his daughter-in-law, Samantha Ragsdale; his grandchildren, Sam Davey, Sara Davey, Ava Ragsdale, and Tucker Ragsdale; his sister, Ellen Ann Hopkins; and his nephews, Jonathan Hopkins, Beau Hopkins, and Cabell Hopkins; 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 Edward Ragsdale, M.D. 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 Dr. Ragsdale as an expression of our deepest sympathy.