Bill Text: IL SR0733 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Michael Gardner Crowell.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-10-30 - Resolution Adopted [SR0733 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0733-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Michael Gardner Crowell, who passed away
on July 15, 2019 at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell was born in Philadelphia to James
and Marjorie (Marcy) Crowell on June 17, 1931; he was raised in
Riverton, New Jersey and attended Groton School; he graduated
from Amherst College in 1953; he later served in the United
States Navy as a fighter pilot on the USS Essex; upon his
return from military service, he earned his Doctor of
Philosophy in English Literature and Linguistics from
Northwestern University; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell built a professional career as a
professor of English at Knox College in Galesburg from 1961
until 1996; he was most proud of the Freshman Preceptorial, now
the First-Year Preceptorial, an interdisciplinary seminar he
developed with colleagues that introduces students to the
intellectual excitement of the liberal arts education by
exploring classic, existential questions; as a sailor and lover
of the sea, Moby Dick was his favorite novel to teach; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell loved Walt Whitman's poetry,
spoke French, and was a master limerick creator; he was an

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aficionado of the opera, his dogs, and reading; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell and his wife, Karen, retired to
their old Norwegian farm near Washburn, Wisconsin in 2001,
where he enjoyed sailing, raising chickens, and visiting with
friends and family; he became immersed in the Washburn
community as an environmentalist and served on the Bayfield
Regional Conservancy Board; though he was raised Episcopalian,
he became a devoted member of the Chequamegon Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship, where he spoke on the beginnings of
the American Unitarian Universalist congregation, offering a
personal view that avoided dates and names in favor of
analyzing emerging viewpoints, in much the same way he did as a
professor; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell will be remembered for his quick
wit, ironic humor, and interest in the environment, as
evidenced by his collection of animal feces; he was known for
his warm, friendly smile, for his courtesy and respect towards
colleagues of all ages, and as a gifted educator who shared his
passion for literature with his students; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell and his wife, Karen, were grateful
to the community they called home for 18 years, establishing
the Michael and Karen Ruedi Crowell Fund to address the
changing needs of the region served by the Chequamegon Bay Area

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Community; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell was preceded in death by his
parents; his brother, Alexander M. Crowell; his son, Peter M.
Crowell; and his first wife, Virginia Huysman; and
WHEREAS, Michael Crowell is survived by his wife of 44
years, Karen Ruedi Crowell; his sons, James G. (Julie
Rademaker) Crowell, John A. (Megan Williamson) Crowell, and
Matthew P. (Michelle Frey) Crowell; his daughter-in-law, Wendy
MacWilliams; his grandchildren, Peter Crowell Jr., Madeline
Crowell, Gavin Crowell-Williamson, M. Gardner Crowell, Erin
Crowell, and Thomas Crowell; and his nephew, Thomas P. Crowell;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Michael Gardner Crowell 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 Michael Crowell as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.