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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Erich
4Himmel, who passed away in August of 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Erich Himmel was born outside of Munich, Germany
6in the City of Moosburg on January 3, 1936; he was joined by
7his wife of 65 years, Ingeborg "Inge", when he emigrated to New
8Hampshire in 1958; they later moved to Chicago for his work as
9a mechanic for Volkswagen (VW); and
 
10    WHEREAS, Erich Himmel was drafted into the U.S. Army while
11a German citizen and served with honor in Germany during the
12building of the Berlin Wall; following his military career, he
13returned to Chicago as a general manager for VW, eventually
14opening several Volkswagen dealerships; he and his daughter,
15Carol, built a successful autobody shop, which is still in the
16family today and presently operated by his grandson, Erich;
17and
 
18    WHEREAS, Erich Himmel became president of the Rheinischer
19Verein Mardi Gras Society in 1984, and he served in that
20position for more than 25 years; after being mentored by Karl
21Laschet, he became president of the United German American
22Societies; he was knighted for his service and later held the

 

 

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1position of grand chancellor for the United States of The Het
2Golden Vleis; and
 
3    WHEREAS, For his contributions to the preservation of
4German culture in foreign lands, Erich Himmel received the
5highest civilian medal of honor from the President of Germany
6in 1984, the Bundesverdienstkreutz First Class medal of honor;
7in 2020, he realized his dream of creating a German Haus for
8all the clubs in an umbrella organization to call home and
9celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the United German
10American Societies with family and friends; he served as the
11grand marshal of the Von Steuben parade in Chicago for
12decades, bringing together diplomats, public officials,
13members of the German American Societies, and many others for
14this wonderful neighborhood celebration; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Erich Himmel was a friend and mentor to many,
16from public officials to newcomers to the United States from
17Germany and other countries to his employees to community
18members; he embraced every opportunity to educate people about
19German culture and traditions; he passed these values to his
20two daughters who, as German Americans, have carried on his
21legacy of welcoming people of all backgrounds to celebrate and
22enjoy German culture; and
 
23    WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Erich Himmel was

 

 

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1survived by his wife, Inge; his daughters, Diana and Carol;
2his son-in-law, Jerry; his grandchildren, Erich "Bubba"
3(Esther), Michelle (JJ), and Ashley; and his
4great-grandchildren, Parker and Hudson; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
6HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
7we mourn the passing of Erich Himmel and extend our sincere
8condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
9him; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Erich Himmel as an expression of our
12deepest sympathy.