093_SR0108
LRB093 11357 HSS 13514 r
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of
3 Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Robert Barker
4 of Des Plaines on February 26, 2003; and
5 WHEREAS, Mr. Barker valiantly served his country in the
6 U.S. Navy during World War II; he met his wife, Rosebelle,
7 during the war when they were both working in naval
8 intelligence; he served again during the Korean War in the
9 Aleutian Islands in Alaska; and
10 WHEREAS, Mr. Barker majored in English and journalism at
11 Northwestern University; and
12 WHEREAS, Mr. Barker retired in 1986 after a 30 year
13 career with Maine Township High School District 207; he began
14 as a student teacher at Maine Township High School in the
15 spring of 1956; he taught English before becoming the
16 district reading coordinator in 1960 and was the chair of the
17 Maine East English department by 1962; he was named assistant
18 principal for staff and instruction at Maine South and then
19 worked as principal at Maine East from 1979 to 1981; he
20 returned to Maine South to serve as principal until his
21 retirement; and
22 WHEREAS, Mr. Barker was committed to community service;
23 he served as a past president of the Park Ridge Mental Health
24 Association and the Park Ridge Rotary Club; he was treasurer
25 of the Park Ridge United Way and on that agency's board of
26 directors, a trustee of the Maine Township High School
27 Educational Foundation, and a member of the board of the Des
28 Plaines Senior Center; and
29 WHEREAS, In addition to his volunteer work, Mr. Barker
30 was an avid woodworking and stain glass hobbyist; he designed
31 and constructed a wooden donors board for the District 207
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1 foundation; he also designed and constructed the display case
2 at the Des Plaines Senior Center; and
3 WHEREAS, The passing of Robert Barker has been deeply
4 felt by all who knew him, especially his wife, Rosebelle (nee
5 Goodrich); his children, David (Judith) Barker, Donald
6 (Lynda) Barker, and Bonnie Barker; his grandchildren, Kurt
7 (Kristine) Barker and Holly (Christopher) Knight; his sister,
8 Dorothy White; his four great-grandchildren; his niece; and
9 his two nephews; therefore, be it
10 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
11 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing
12 of Robert Barker of Des Plaines and extend our sincerest
13 condolences to his friends, family, and all who knew him; and
14 be it further
15 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16 presented to the family of Robert Barker as an expression of
17 our deepest sympathy.