SR1861 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1861 LRB099 21819 MST 48607 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert E. "Bob" Brent of Aurora, who passed away on May 5, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent was born in Thackeray to Howard and Mary Lorene (McChesney) Brent on February 20, 1939; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent served with the Aurora Police Department for 28 years, including 12 years as Chief of Police; during his police career, he received advanced training at the University of Louisville, the University of Illinois, and Michigan State University; he earned his Bachelor of Law degree from LaSalle Extension University of Chicago; he received training at the FBI Academy and the U.S. Secret Service Academy; he served on the adjunct faculty of Aurora University and the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois; while with the Aurora Police Department, he was a member of one of the area's first SWAT teams; he served on presidential family and candidate protection details, and acted as Chief of Detectives before becoming the youngest Chief of Police for a city and police department of Aurora's size in the country at that time; and

WHEREAS, Following his retirement from the Aurora Police Department in 1989, Robert Brent joined Alarm Detection Systems, Inc of Aurora for 15 years as their Director of Public Relations; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent was an active and dedicated community volunteer and leader throughout his entire life; he began serving as a Scout leader before he had any children of his own, and remained active in Scouting for many years; he was especially proud of his involvement in Kiwanis Club; during his 44 years with the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, he served as Club President and was Kiwanian of the Year; he was also responsible for the creation of the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Aurora; one of his proudest professional accomplishments was founding the Aurora Area Crime Stoppers; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent was a longtime member of the Juvenile Protective Association, and an active member in the Illinois and International Associations of Chief of Police, along with many other professional and law-enforcement organizations; he was a committed member of civic organizations, such as the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, the former Mercy Hospital Foundation Board, and other church and civic clubs; he was also a member of Holy Angels Church in Aurora; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent enjoyed traveling with his wife, golf, and fishing, but he loved nothing more than camping with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Verla Olson; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice R. (Rausch); his children, Mark (Kristen) Brent and Ann Marie (Joseph) Pawlisz; his grandchildren, Cameron, Robert, Courtney, Braden, Morgan, Tyler, and Kylee; his sister, Beverly Williams; his brother, Gary Brent; his brother-in-law, Dr. Richard Olson; and many loving relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert E. "Bob" Brent, 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 Robert Brent as an expression of our deepest sympathy.