SR0706 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0706 LRB094 20194 HSS 58026 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Robert E. Hamilton of Joliet on Sunday, January 15, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hamilton received his Associate of Science degree at Joliet Junior College before serving in the U.S. Army during WWII; he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, He formed a company in 1955 for the practice of consulting engineering to provide the highly specialized sanitary (now called environmental) design engineering services to other engineering firms and directly to clients; he designed sewage treatment and water supply projects throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, and developed the first wastewater treatment facilities for Frankfort, Minooka, Mokena, and New Lenox; and

WHEREAS, His Joliet business started in the rented home that he shared with his wife, Shirley; the business has expanded through four office moves to include 14 engineers, a professional land surveyor, and a support staff of 14; in March of 2005, Robert E. Hamilton Consulting Engineers, P.C., celebrated its fiftieth anniversary at the firm's current office at 3230 Executive Drive in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Hamilton set the standard for engineers for conduct as well as technical expertise; his work has included developing many of the processes that are the main stage of current water and wastewater practice, and he literally helped write the books that this industry uses; he was involved in numerous professional societies, including the American Consulting Engineers Council, the Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois (past treasurer, past director, and member of the Committee for Standard Specifications for Water and Sewer Main Construction Illinois), the Illinois Engineering Council (past director), the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (past Ethics and Practice Committee chairman), the Water Environment Federation, the Central States Environment Federation, and the American Water Works Association (life member); and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the University of Illinois President's Council and the Joliet Junior College Foundation Board, where he established two endowed scholarships to benefit Joliet Junior College students; he was also a member of Rotary International in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Robert E. Hamilton has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Shirley (Morse) Hamilton; his children, Marsha C. (Bruce) Hamilton, Janet (Robert) Stevens, Howard J. (Kristen) Hamilton, and Helen (Brian) Pohlman; his grandchildren, Robert M. (Amy) Hamilton, Patricia (Brian) MacDonald, C. Brice McCaw, Dale B. McCaw, Kirk H. McCaw, Aileen Hamilton, Sean I. Hamilton, Richard M. Hamilton, Trenton M. Pohlman, Mitchell B. Pohlman, and Claire L. Pohlman; his great-grandchildren, Sydney C. MacDonald, Colin D. MacDonald, and Robert Nolan Hamilton; and his many nieces and nephews; he was preceded in death by his son, Robert Bruce Hamilton; his parents, James F. and Vida (Krans) Hamilton; his twin aunts, Masie and Hazel Krans; his brother, James R. Hamilton; and his sister, Helen L. Trautmann; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert E. Hamilton, and we 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 his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.