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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of John E. "J.R." Rohwer Jr. of Sterling,
4 who passed away on April 29, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was born on August 11, 1949 in
6 Clinton, Iowa; he was the son of John E. and Joan (Arians)
7 Rohwer Sr.; and
 
8     WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. graduated from Sterling High
9 School and Sauk Valley Community College; and
 
10     WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. had a long and distinguished
11 career in radio broadcasting; he began his 42-year career in
12 radio at WJVM in Sterling, which was owned by his father; he
13 became the morning radio host in 1986, when the station was
14 sold to WSDR in Sterling; and
 
15     WHEREAS, As the longtime morning personality at WSDR Radio
16 in Sterling, John E. Rohwer Jr. was well known as a provider of
17 local and national news mixed with a good dose of humor; during
18 his illustrious career, he earned an incredible reputation as a
19 passionate reporter who affected a number of organizations,
20 political candidates, and community issues; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was a classically trained
2 pianist; he began playing at an early age, yet never chose to
3 pursue a professional music career; his love of the arts also
4 extended to working behind the scenes doing lighting and audio
5 work for Sauk Valley Community College's theater department;
6 and
 
7     WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was known in local circles as a
8 great debater; a regular at the former Pro Shop in Sterling, he
9 often met with area reporters and had fierce debates on many
10 topics, including philosophy, music, and the media; and
 
11     WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was preceded in death by his
12 grandparents; and
 
13     WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. is survived by his sons, Jim
14 Rohwer and Matt Rohwer; his parents; his sister, Jo Ann
15 (Richard) Smith; and his nephews, Brian Smith and Michael
16 Smith; therefore, be it
 
17     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
18 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we we mourn, along with
19 his family and friends, the passing of John E. "J.R." Rohwer
20 Jr.; and be it further
 
21     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

 

 

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1 presented to the family of John E. Rohwer Jr. as an expression
2 of our sympathy.