SR0735 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0735 LRB094 20407 HSS 58577 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Judge Charles Edward Ruth of Hinsdale on Sunday, April 9, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born and raised in Hinsdale and was the grandson of the late Linus C. Ruth, who also served as a judge in DuPage County, in the early 1900s; Charles Edward Ruth was taught to read and write at an early age by his grandmother, the late Ella Ruth, who was one of the first librarians at the Hinsdale Public Library; in his youth, he enjoyed reading books on history, archeology, Greek mythology, and geology; and

WHEREAS, He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and then valiantly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War; after his discharge, he returned to Chicago and took history courses at the University of Chicago; he worked at various jobs before becoming an insurance adjuster with Allstate Insurance; and

WHEREAS, During that time, he also took night classes at John Marshall Law School, eventually receiving his law degree; he then worked for the DuPage County state's attorney's office, where during the 1970s he helped "break in" many younger attorneys, including former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruth was appointed an associate judge in the early 1980s, serving in the 18th Judicial Circuit in Wheaton, until his retirement in 1994; during his years on the bench, he was known to run a "tight ship" in the courtroom; he had the utmost respect for the law and expected those in his courtroom to be punctual and prepared; and

WHEREAS, He especially valued friendship above all else; he loved to laugh and just enjoy himself, and those close to him knew there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for a friend; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Judge Charles Edward Ruth has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife of 18 years, Delores; his son, Charles Jr.; his stepson, Stephen Marks; and his five grandsons; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Judge Charles Edward Ruth, 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.