Bill Text: IL SR0865 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Dr. Robert D. Erickson of Elgin.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-02-25 - Resolution Adopted [SR0865 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0865-Introduced.html

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SR0865 LRB102 26226 LAW 36052 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Dr. Robert D. Erickson of Elgin, who
passed away on January 31, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson received his Bachelor of Divinity
from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and
his Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota; he
pursued his doctoral studies in New Testament and Early
Christian Literature at the University of Chicago; he later
received an honorary doctorate from Judson University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson, while teaching New Testament Greek
in the collegiate division of the Northern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Chicago, became a founding faculty member of
Judson College, known today as Judson University, in Elgin in
1961; he was responsible for drafting and designing the
Biblical Studies curriculum at the inception of Judson in
1963; he also taught select courses at Northern Illinois
University, Loyola University, the College of St. Francis, and
Wheaton College; he taught for over 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson was an ordained minister with the
Baptist General Conference; he served as pastor of Hillside
Baptist Church, known today as Crossroads Community Church, in

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Hillside; he was an interim minister for several other
churches; and
WHEREAS, Alongside his wife, Dr. Erickson gave to Judson
University for more than 50 years; their giving has supported
and continues to support the departments where Dr. Erickson
faithfully served, Biblical & Theological Studies and
Christian Ministries, through scholarships and endowed funds;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson was an active member of the greater
Elgin community, representing Judson University in the Kiwanis
Club of Elgin for 50 years; during his time with Kiwanis, he
was influential in raising more than $100,000 towards Project
Eliminate, an international effort to eliminate maternal and
neonatal tetanus; and
WHEREAS, On Founders' Day 2012, Dr. Erickson was honored
with the Golden Eagle Award, one of Judson University's
highest honors, in recognition of his 50 years of teaching; he
was also recognized for never missing a single class in his
entire career with Judson; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Erickson was a long-time member of
Chapelstreet Church, formerly known as the First Baptist
Church of Geneva; and

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WHEREAS, Erickson is survived by his wife of 67 years,
Gladys; his children, Robert, Randall (Laura), Timothy
(Valerie Dobiesz), Susan Suits (Jeffery), Jens, and Julie
Henderson (Jeffrey); his 17 grandchildren; and his three
great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Dr. Robert D. Erickson 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 Dr. Erickson as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.