Bill Text: IL SR0784 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Robert Fuller.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-11-14 - Resolution Adopted [SR0784 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0784-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Robert Scott Fuller, who passed away on
September 13, 2019 at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller was born on February 12, 1936 to
Lillian Faye and William Pope Fuller in Searcy, Arkansas and
was lovingly referred to as "Bobby Scott" until his college
years; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller graduated from Searcy High School in
1954 and Hendrix College in 1958; he then earned a Master of
Arts from Union Theological Seminary in New York City; he
attended Julliard School of Music, where he studied under
Israeli-born composer Abraham Kaplan; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller had many notable achievements while
in New York, including serving as assistant director of the
Collegiate Chorale at Julliard and performing in the Chorale at
Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with
Leonard Bernstein as conductor; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller was an accomplished pianist and
choral director; he took those talents to Jonesboro High School
in Arkansas, where he taught choral music for 14 years; he also

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served as choral director for First United Methodist Church and
First Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller taught summer courses at Southern
Illinois University and then accepted a job as choral director
at Oak Park and River Forest High School; he later became
director of the Fine Arts Department until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller founded the Heritage Chorale, a
community choir for adults that continues his legacy; he served
as a past-president of the Arkansas Choral Directors
Association and the Illinois Chorale Directors Association;
and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller and his wife took choirs from
Jonesboro and OPRF on a performances tour to Europe every two
years; the group would always tour Vienna, Austria, his
favorite city; he and his wife would return to Vienna as often
as possible, independently of the choir; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller walked with crutches after
contracting polio as a 10th-grade student in 1951; however, he
never let his physical handicap stop him; he was a passionate
gardener, fisherman, and carpenter; his musical knowledge and
ability drew interest to his classes, but students stayed
because of his playful sense of humor and kindness; and

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WHEREAS, Robert Fuller had such a lasting impact on his
students that a reunion performance named Fuller Fest was
organized in his honor; students travelled from all around the
country to participate in a weekend-long event that culminated
in a benefit concert; a scholarship dedicated to him has since
been established to honor the beloved teacher and mentor that
he was; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller was preceded in death by his parents
and his infant twin siblings; and
WHEREAS, Robert Fuller is survived by his wife, Anita Hart
Fuller; his children, Christopher Scott (Tina) Fuller and Karen
Harrison Fuller; his grandchildren, Madison Fuller (Jonathan)
Turner, Kennedy Blaise Keasler, Harrison Quinn Keasler, Zac
Morgan, and Rheanna Morgan; his brother, Bill (Cheryl) Fuller;
and his sister, Ruth Ann Fuller; 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
Robert Fuller 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 Robert Fuller as an expression of

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our deepest sympathy.