SR0663 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0663 LRB099 12823 MST 36640 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George J. Kottemann of Peoria, who passed away on June 1, 2015; and

WHEREAS, George Kottemann married Norma Rodems on June 29, 1952; and

WHEREAS, George Kottemann practiced orthodontics in Peoria for 34 years; after he retired, he had a second career in forensic dentistry and served with DMORT (Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams) to identify disaster victims, including several weeks in New York City after 9/11; and

WHEREAS, George Kottemann held leadership roles in a number of Peoria civic groups, including the Peoria Art Guild and Easter Seals; with his wife, he helped establish the Kottemann Gallery of Dentistry at the University of Illinois-Chicago Dental School and the sculpture studio at Bradley University's Heuser Hall; he led alumni activities at Peoria High School and the University of Illinois; he was instrumental in fundraising and planning for the sculpture "Portal", recently erected on Washington Street in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, George Kottemann and his wife traveled extensively, often to places that allowed them to indulge in their love of contemporary art; and

WHEREAS, George Kottemann was preceded in death by his parents, Freda and William H. Kottemann, and his brother, William P. Kottemann; and

WHEREAS, George Kottemann is survived by his wife, Norma; his 2 children, Kathy (Jim) Wire and Karl (Suzi) Kottemann; his 5 grandchildren, Philip (Chelsea) Wire, Kara (Roi) Castellanos, Patty (Allan) Thompson, Kristin Kottemann, and Leslie (Patrick) Spellman; his great-granddaughter; and his sister, Dorothy Westly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of George J. Kottemann, 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 George Kottemann as an expression of our deepest sympathy.