Bill Text: IL SR2267 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Melvin Thomas "Tom" Davisson, P.E., Ph.D. of Urbana.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-11-16 - Resolution Adopted [SR2267 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-SR2267-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Melvin Thomas "Tom" Davisson, P.E., Ph.D.
of Urbana, who passed away on September 9, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson was born on December 23, 1931 in
Grafton, West Virginia; his parents were David Earl Davisson
and Leona Caroline Davisson; he married Marlene Elaine Krumeich
on May 14, 1955 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cuyahoga
Falls, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson received his bachelor's degree in
civil engineering from the University of Akron and a Master of
Science and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of
Illinois; he began his career at the University of Illinois as
a research assistant in 1956 and moved through the academic
ranks to a full professorship in 1971; and
WHEREAS, From 1981 to 2000, Melvin Davisson devoted his
time to the engineering consulting practice he established in
1958; he was a geotechnical consulting engineer with a
distinguished record as a researcher, designer, educator, and
member of numerous professional societies; he served on and
chaired many committees of various professional organizations
with which he was associated; he also taught continuing

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education courses and was an arbitrator for engineering and
construction disputes; and
WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson published many professional
papers and designed and improved specialized construction
equipment; he is particularly noted for "The Davisson Limit", a
widespread definition of pile failure load; he received many
national and international awards for his work on pile driving,
including the Distinguished Service Award from the Deep
Foundations Institute; and
WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson enjoyed spending time with his
family, reading, fishing, golfing, and teaching; he also had a
private pilot license and flew his own plane; and
WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson was preceded in death by his
parents; his daughter, Teresa Lynn Christensen; and his
half-sister, Elizabeth Jean (Kenneth) Smith; and
WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson is survived by his wife of 61
years, Marlene "Mickey"; his son, James Preston "J.P."
Davisson; his daughters, Diana Marie Davisson and Kathleen
Elaine Davisson; his son-in-law, Rex Alan Christensen; his
step-grandchildren, Andrea Gibbs Christensen and Stephanie
Brook Purvis (John); and his step-great-grandchildren, Sophia
and John; therefore, be it

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RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
family and friends, mourn the passing of Melvin Thomas "Tom"
Davisson; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Melvin Davisson as an expression of
our sympathy.