Bill Text: IL HR0821 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the death of Walter Pilditch.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-02-14 - Resolution Adopted [HR0821 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR0821-Introduced.html

---

HR0821 LRB100 19019 MST 34273 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Walter
Edward Pilditch, who passed away on December 24, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch was born in Chicago to Howard and
Edith Pilditch on April 30, 1931; he was baptized at Beverly's
St. Paul's Bible Church, where he remained a member all his
life; he joined St. Paul's Boy Scout Troop 608 in 1942,
eventually earning Scouting's highest rank of Eagle Scout and
serving as Scoutmaster and the Troop's Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch attended Vanderpoel Elementary
School and graduated from Morgan Park High School, where he
earned membership in the Tau Epsilon Scholastic Society, served
as a member of the student administration, and was inducted
into the National Honor Society; he attended Wilson Junior
College and the Chicago Teachers' College, earning his degree
in education, and eventually earning a master's degree from
Northwestern University and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern
University; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch began teaching at Felsenthal
Elementary School when he was drafted during the Korean War; he
served in the United States Army Signal Corps, earning the rank

HR0821 - 2 - LRB100 19019 MST 34273 r
of Sergeant; he returned to Felsenthal Elementary School and
continued his education, joining the University of Chicago's
first administrative internship program; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch married Joyce Gach, a widow with
two young children, in 1966, and together they welcomed another
son; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch passed the principal's
examination in 1968, serving first at Jungman Elementary School
for 10 years and then at his alma mater, Morgan Park High
School, where he employed his policy of "Management by Walking
Around" and utilized innovative automated "wake up calls" to
reduce tardiness and truancy; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch moved to Curie High School and
then served the district in the Office of Accountability; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch was twice elected to the Chicago
Teachers' Pension Fund (CTPF) Board of Trustees, serving from
1995 until 2001; he was also a member and president of the
Chicago Principals and Administrators Association; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch retired from CPS in 2001 after 45
years of service; he was elected to the CTPF Board of Trustees
as a pensioner representative in 2003 and re-elected seven more

HR0821 - 3 - LRB100 19019 MST 34273 r
times, most recently in November of 2017; he served in many
leadership roles including vice president and financial
Secretary and as chairman of the Pension Law and Rules, Finance
and Audit, and Claims and Service Credits committees; he was
also a member of almost every committee; and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch contributed to numerous
organizations, serving on the executive committee for the
Beverly Area Planning Association, on the Chicago Retired
Teachers Aid Fund, as a Chicago Science Fair Judge, and as a
Local School Council Community Representative; he was involved
with several groups including the Archer Road Kiwanis
Organization, the Beverly Improvement Association, the Beverly
Ridge Lions Club, and the Retired Teachers Association of
Chicago (RTAC); and
WHEREAS, Walter Pilditch has been recognized with
distinguished service awards from the Aquin Guild and the
Assistant Principals Association; he also received the
Armstrong Award from RTAC and Scouting's highest recognition,
the Silver Beaver Award; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
mourn the passing of Walter Pilditch, and extend our sincere
condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved

HR0821 - 4 - LRB100 19019 MST 34273 r
him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Walter Pilditch as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.