Bill Text: IL HR0144 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Kenneth R. "Coach" Geiger.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-18 - Resolution Adopted [HR0144 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0144-Introduced.html

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HR0144 LRB102 17522 LAW 23126 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth
R. "Coach" Geiger of Hillside, who passed away on January 21,
2021; and
WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was born in Berwyn on December 30,
1931; he was a lifelong resident of Berwyn; he attended St.
Leonard School in Berwyn; he graduated from Fenwick High
School in Oak Park in 1949, where he played football and boxed
for three years; he earned his Bachelor of Science from
Monmouth College, where he was an all-conference guard and
helped the football team to conference championships during
his junior and senior years; he served in the 101st Airborne
Division of the U.S. Army in Korea; he obtained his master's
degree from the University of Illinois; he earned his
doctorate in Education from the University of Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Ken Geiger coached football while earning his
master's and doctoral degrees; he was the freshman football
offensive line coach at the University of Illinois; he served
as the assistant varsity line coach at the University of
Missouri; he returned to Monmouth College as the varsity line
coach and led the football team to an undefeated conference
championship; and

HR0144 - 2 - LRB102 17522 LAW 23126 r
WHEREAS, Ken Geiger had a 34-year career in the J.
Sterling Morton High School District, where he served as a
teacher, the head football coach, a wrestling coach, the
athletic director, and a department chair; and
WHEREAS, Ken Geiger entered professional football in the
1980s; he served as a scout for the Chicago Bears for 11 years,
and he was with the team when they won Super Bowl XX in 1986;
he later worked as a scout for the Indianapolis Colts for five
years and the New Orleans Saints for three years;
internationally, he was a moving force in bringing American
football to Europe, where he taught football to European
youths and represented the NFL as a clinician; and
WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was named to the Monmouth College Hall
of Fame in 1996; he was also named to the IHSA Hall of Fame; he
was an emeritus member of the American Association of Football
Coaches; he was a member of the Chicago Catholic League's Hall
of Fame; his family was named the Monmouth College Family of
the Year in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was known for being a father figure to
his students and one of the foremost ambassadors of Morton
High School; he will be remembered for the impact he made on
the lives of his students; and

HR0144 - 3 - LRB102 17522 LAW 23126 r
WHEREAS, Ken Geiger was the husband of Sheryl J. (Johnson)
for 67 years; the father of Gary (Ana Maria), Kevin (Jeane
Gentile), Joni (James) Russo, Susan, and Eric (Amy); the son
of the late Joseph J. and the late Ann M. (Zaher) Geiger; the
grandfather of Joseph Bratta, Sean Geiger, and Niko Muniz; the
great-grandfather to Mia Rose, Joseph, and Layla Bratta; the
brother of the late Joseph (Nancy) Geiger; the brother-in-law
of Celinda (Bob) Prater; and the uncle and great-uncle to
many; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Kenneth R. "Coach" Geiger 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 Ken Geiger as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.