SR0605LRB103 35320 MST 65369 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Cliff Baxter of Springfield, who
4passed away on October 17, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter was born in Quincy to Rodney and
6Velma (McGinnis) Baxter on December 20, 1942; he graduated
7with a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from
8Bradley University in Peoria; he married Jan Garner on
9December 7, 1968; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter began his career with CMT (Crawford,
11Murphy & Tilly) in 1965; he was a professional engineer and
12registered structural engineer; he was named an officer and
13director of the firm in 1979 and elected president in 1992; he
14became chairman and CEO in 1995; he retired from his
15leadership role in February of 2005; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter was known for his outstanding
17leadership; throughout his career, he contributed
18significantly to CMT's conversion to computers for modeling,
19drafting, and business practices; he also played a pivotal
20role in the development of an ongoing, comprehensive strategic
21planning process at CMT; he was known for his genuine interest
22in the welfare of others, from employees and their families to

 

 

SR0605- 2 -LRB103 35320 MST 65369 r

1the many professional, civic, and charitable organizations
2with which he engaged; his notable contributions were honored
3by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) with
4the National Service Award in 2004; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter served on the boards for several
6organizations, including the Illinois State Chamber of
7Commerce, the Memorial Medical Center and Memorial Health
8System, US Bank, the University of Illinois Springfield, the
9United Way of Central Illinois, and the Illini Country Club;
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter enjoyed golf, spending time with
12family, and traveling with his wife and their friends; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter was known as "Uncle Cliff" to Amie
14Kelly and Karrie, Brett John, Heather, and Tara Wagner; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter was preceded in death by his
16brother-in-law, Dennis Kelly; his nephew, Michael Kelly; and
17his brother-in-law, Micah Garner; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Cliff Baxter is survived by his wife, Jan; his
19sister, Velma (Baxter) Kelly; his brother-in-law, Norm (Judy)
20Knous; his niece, Colleen (Steve) Bratcher, and their
21children, Samantha and Michael; his nephew, Kyle (Jessica)

 

 

SR0605- 3 -LRB103 35320 MST 65369 r

1Knous; his nephew, Lucas Knous; his nephew, Matthew (Taylor)
2Knous, and their children, Owen and Zoey; his niece, Marci
3Garner, and her children, Wesley and Wyatt; his cousin, Dino
4(Tammy); his niece, Devin Dinora; and his nephews, Rodney and
5Joseph Garner; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
7ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
8Cliff Baxter and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
9friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Cliff Baxter as an expression of our
12deepest sympathy.