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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Ralph Eugene Sackett, who passed away
4on August 18, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett was born in St. Louis, Missouri on
6October 27, 1937; he was raised by Tilda Mae and Sam Vernon
7Sackett alongside his brothers, the late Don and Joe, in
8Collinsville, Illinois; he excelled in baseball in high
9school; he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, but instead
10he attended Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), where he
11played third baseman for the Titans throughout college; he
12married Alicia Ann Westwood during their senior year at IWU;
13and
 
14    WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett began coaching the Bloomington
15Bobcats, an all-star college team, while earning his master's
16degree in Mathematics at Illinois State University; he then
17taught and coached numerous sports at Reddick and Octavia High
18Schools, Washington University, and Granite City High School
19before finishing his coaching career at Bloomington High
20School; under his direction, his baseball, cross country, and
21basketball teams all excelled; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett began a new career in banking with

 

 

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1Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan in 1975, which took him and
2his family to Champaign; he went into real estate development,
3completing the Robeson Crossing development in southwest
4Champaign at the end of his working career; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett enjoyed golfing, fishing, and
6cheering for his St. Louis Cardinals; alongside his wife, he
7loved spending time with family and relaxing in Naples,
8Florida and at their cabin in the woods on Lake Napowan,
9Wisconsin; he was an avid fisherman and took great pleasure in
10fish fries around the fire with those he loved; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Ralph Sackett was affectionately known as "Papa";
12he will be remembered for his big bear hugs and his beautiful
13smile; and
 
14    WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Ralph Sackett was
15survived by his wife of 61 years, Alicia; his children, Robb
16(Mary Beth), Jill Burton (Gregory), Todd (Kandi), and Matt
17(Jennifer); his 11 grandchildren; and his two
18great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
20ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
21Ralph Eugene Sackett and extend our sincere condolences to his
22family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it

 

 

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1further
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3presented to the family of Ralph Sackett as an expression of
4our deepest sympathy.