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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn about the death of Michael Anthony Werckle, M.D. of
4Rockford, who passed away on March 28, 2018; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle was born in Peoria to Winton Earl and
6Florine Yvonne (Carollo) Werckle on August 10, 1939; he
7graduated from Rockford East High School, with one of the first
8National Merit Scholarships, in 1957; he worked to pay his way
9through Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa and graduated
10with his bachelor of arts degree in 1962; he then graduated
11from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1966; he
12completed his internship and residency through the University
13of Michigan at Wayne County General Hospital, where he quickly
14rose to the position of Director of the Outpatient Department
15and Long Term Care Facility; and
 
16    WHEREAS, In 1973, Dr. Werckle returned to Illinois to serve
17as Associate Director of the Illinois Department of Public
18Health in Springfield, where he was instrumental in the effort
19to vaccinate school children during the outbreak of swine flu
20in 1976; he moved back to his hometown of Rockford in 1977,
21where he joined the faculty of the newly-formed University of
22Illinois College of Medicine as Assistant Clinical Professor of
23Medicine, a position he held until his passing; he opened North

 

 

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1Alpine Medical Clinic, later Rockford Clinic on North Alpine,
2in an underserved area in 1980; he practiced internal medicine
3there, specializing in geriatrics, until his retirement in
42006; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle received many awards and honors during
6his life, including two Golden Apple Awards, a Faculty
7Distinguished Service Award, the Arnold Gold Humanism in
8Medicine Award, and the Endowed Professorship in Biomedical
9Services in his name, which was made possible by a grant from
10the Blazer Foundation; on March 28, 2018, he was honored by the
11University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford at the
12investiture ceremony for the Michael A. Werckle, M.D. Endowed
13Professorship in Biomedical Sciences; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle served on many boards, including
15Rockford Health System, Lifescape, Wesley Willows, and the
16Visiting Nurses Association; he served as President of Medical
17Staff at Rockford Memorial Hospital and was the Medical
18Director of many organizations, including Rockford Clinic,
19Fairhaven Christian Home, Willows on Main, Alpine Fireside, and
20In Home Medical Service; in 2017, he became the majority owner
21of Hospice Care of America, where he had served as Medical
22Director since 2006; and
 
23    WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle was a lifelong member of Westminster

 

 

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1Presbyterian Church in Rockford, and he remembered carrying
2bricks as a child for the construction of the church's
3building; he was an avid fan of antique and vintage cars and
4was active in many car clubs, including the Vintage Motor Car
5Club of America and the Rock-Ford A's, serving as President of
6both organizations; he enjoyed driving in classic car tours and
7was known to make house calls to elderly patients in an antique
8car of their choice; he will be remembered as a compassionate
9physician, respected educator, and dedicated public servant,
10who believed in the healing power of listening compassionately;
11recalling his working class roots, he provided care to
12everyone, regardless of their ability to pay; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle was preceded in death by his parents;
14his sister, Patricia Werckle Zeller; his stepparents, Ralph
15Steele and Winifred Werckle; his grandparents; his aunts and
16uncles; his cousin; his special friend, Cedric W. Blazer; and
17his beloved Rottweilers, Lovie and Millie; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle is survived by his wife, Patricia; his
19children, Michael David Werckle, Elizabeth Ann Werckle, and
20Sarah Kathryn (Matthew) Rip; his grandchildren, Anne Lee
21Harris, Dashiell Michael Rip, and Lincoln Russell Rip; his
22sister, Jacqueline (Werckle) White; his brothers, W. David
23(Sara) Werckle and Richard L. (Linda) Werckle; his special
24cousin, Joseph Broz; his special friend, Mark R. Blazer; his 18

 

 

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1nieces and nephews; his four cousins; and his grand-dog,
2"Dad."; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
5Michael Anthony Werckle, M.D. and extend our sincere
6condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
7him; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the family of Dr. Werckle as an expression of our
10deepest sympathy.