SR0395 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0395 LRB102 18910 LAW 27638 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Carl Edward Steinmacher of Springfield, who passed away on June 2, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Carl Steinmacher was born in Springfield to Louis and Elizabeth (Keller) Steinmacher on August 2, 1941; he served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961, where he was a member of the 1st Missile Battalion, 33rd Artillery, Barton barracks in Ansbach, Germany and learned the art of explosives; and

WHEREAS, Carl Steinmacher went to work for Kroger Grocery upon returning to Springfield; after friends requested celebrating a July 4th anniversary with professional grade fireworks, he reconnected with his Army experience and trained to be a pyrotechnician in Osco in 1971, where he was offered a job; he established Stars and Stripes Fireworks of Springfield, and he eventually retired the company in 2004; he then became lead pyrotechnician of Nostalgia Fireworks; and

WHEREAS, Carl Steinmacher created five generations of memories as he lit the skies for folks across central Illinois; his firework shows generated exclamations of delight at a number of events throughout Springfield, including the Illinois State Fair starting in the Jim Thompson era, the Springfield races, LincolnFest, the Sangamon County Fair, Rock the Dock, First Night, the Susan G. Komen Fun Run, the Muni, multiple school drama productions, and backyard parties; his work was displayed over the tops of grandstand acts, which included B.B. King, the Beach Boys, and Willie Nelson; he also provided military effects for reenactments at Fort Massac in Metropolis; and

WHEREAS, Carl Steinmacher was affectionately called "Boom Boom" by most and lived his life doing what he loved, creating shows that did not disappoint; and

WHEREAS, Carl Steinmacher was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Louis Jr., George, Joseph, and John Steinmacher; and his daughter, Carlea Steinmacher Wiedner; and

WHEREAS, Carl Steinmacher is survived by his sisters, Dolores Young and Betty Ann (Arnold) Kochman; several nieces and nephews; and his firework family friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Carl Edward Steinmacher and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Carl Steinmacher as an expression of our deepest sympathy.