093_SR0141

 
                                     LRB093 11733 HSS 15583 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 "Bob"
 4    Zimmerman, former mayor of San Jose,  on  Sunday,  April  27,
 5    2003; and

 6        WHEREAS,  Mr.  Zimmerman  was born on August 27, 1927, in
 7    Mason City to Florin "Bud" and Nettie Atherton Zimmerman;  he
 8    married Joy Surgeon on August 14, 1954; and

 9        WHEREAS,  Mr.  Zimmerman  valiantly  served  his  country
10    during World War II in the U.S. Navy; he played saxophone and
11    clarinet  to  work his way through college and then continued
12    playing big band style music in ballrooms and  country  clubs
13    throughout  the  Midwest  to supplement his teacher's salary;
14    and

15        WHEREAS, Mr.  Zimmerman  taught  instrumental  and  vocal
16    music in San Jose from 1953 until 1985 and served as San Jose
17    Mayor  from  1960  until  1992;  for  five  years  during his
18    teaching career, he was the  boys'  baseball  coach;  he  was
19    honored by his former students in 2002 at the San Jose Alumni
20    Banquet   as  in  the  movie  "Mr.  Holland's  Opus";  he  is
21    responsible for starting the first swing choir for schools in
22    central Illinois and conducted the San Jose  marching,  jazz,
23    and  stage  bands; at least 13 of his former students went on
24    to teach or make their careers in music; and

25        WHEREAS, Mayor Zimmerman will be remembered as  a  frugal
26    mayor  who  managed  the  village's  finances  well; after he
27    retired as mayor, a new park district was formed and the ball
28    field on the grounds was named Zimmerman Field in his  honor;
29    and

30        WHEREAS,  Mr.  Zimmerman  was a member of San Jose United
31    Methodist Church, where he directed the bell choir  and  Good
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11733 HSS 15583 r
 1    News  Choir;  he  was also a member of the American Legion in
 2    San Jose, the  Delavan-San  Jose  Masonic  Lodge,  Phi  Sigma
 3    Epsilon  and Blackfriars Music fraternities, and the Illinois
 4    Music Educators Association, where he  served  on  the  State
 5    board;  he also served as a Republican precinct committeeman;
 6    and

 7        WHEREAS, The passing of Robert "Bob" Zimmerman  has  been
 8    deeply  felt  by  all  who knew him, especially his wife, Joy
 9    Zimmerman; his son, Robert William "Bill" (Holly)  Zimmerman;
10    his  daughter,  Jill  Zimmerman;  and his five grandchildren;
11    therefore, be it

12        RESOLVED, BY  THE  SENATE  OF  THE  NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL
13    ASSEMBLY  OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing
14    of  Robert  "Bob"  Zimmerman  and  recognize   the   profound
15    influence  his  life had on his many students, his community,
16    and his family; and be it further

17        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
18    presented  to the family of Mr. Zimmerman as an expression of
19    our deepest sympathy during their time of loss.