HR0211LRB101 11565 MST 58189 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened by the death of Dr. Vitor
4Westhelle, who passed away on May 13 2018; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle was born in Taquara, Brazil on
6January 1952 and pursued the study of theology at the former
7Faculdade de Teologia da IECLB in Sao Leopolodo, Brazil; he
8continued his studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at
9Chicago, where he earned a Masters of Theology, and at Luther
10Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota to
11earn his Ph.D.; and
 
12    WHEREAS, After completing his education, Dr. Westhelle
13served as a pastor in Paroquia Evangelica de Matelandia and as
14the coordinator of the Commission on Land in Parana, Brazil,
15where he worked with those struggling for land and justice,
16before returning to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
17in 1993 to work as an associate professor; he was named a full
18professor in 1999; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle spent his career traveling the world
20as a visiting professor; and
 
21    WHEREAS, During his career, Dr. Westhelle published 14

 

 

HR0211- 2 -LRB101 11565 MST 58189 r

1books and hundreds of articles in the English, Spanish, and
2Portugese languages, impacting the Lutheran church on a global
3scale; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle served as a valuable mentor to
5countless students over the decades of his career; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In the final weeks of his remarkable life, Dr.
7Westhelle was granted the prestigious title Doctor Honoris
8Causa in Theology in Latin America from the Executive Council
9of Faculdades Escola Superior de Teologia; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle is survived by his wife of over 40
11years, Christiane; his sons, Carlos Henrique, André, and
12Felipe; three daughters-in-law; and two granddaughters;
13therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we mourn the passing of Dr. Vitor Westhelle and extend our
17sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew and
18loved him; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to the family of Dr. Westhelle as an expression of
21our deepest sympathy.