SR0965 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0965 LRB100 14953 ALS 29782 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ken Gunji of Champaign, who passed away on September 30, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji was born in Los Angeles on May 25, 1934; he moved to Japan with his parents when they decided to return prior to December 7, 1941; he later returned to the United States and lived in Chicago, where he attended high school; he was the first Japanese-American in Chicago to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout; he earned both his bachelor and master's degrees at the University of Illinois; he began a one-year pen-pal correspondence with Kimiko; her letters drew him back to Japan, and within two weeks of meeting, they married; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji was commissioned and served two years on active duty with the United States Army and retired 25 years later from the Illinois National Guard with the rank of lieutenant colonel; after active duty, he worked in Student Services for the University of Illinois and Parkland College for 32 years; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji was a member of the Champaign Rotary; he served as sergeant-at-arms, secretary, and board member before serving as World's Greatest Rotary Club President; he was the second Champaign Rotarian to receive the Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service; he was elected as district governor and led the district, visited every club in the district, and still remained active in World's Greatest Rotary; he then served as District 6490's delegate to the Rotary International Institute and later as zone coordinator for the World Community Service Task Force for Rotary International; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji was a volunteer leader for the Boy Scouts of America and served as President of the Prairielands Council and as area vice president; he participated in camp inspections at Camp Drake; he was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award from the local Boy Scouts of America Council and was later presented the Silver Antelope Award by the National Council of Boy Scouts of America; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji was a longtime baseball coach for the Babe Ruth Youth League; he served on the Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation, Champaign Public Library Foundation, Crime Stoppers, Salvation Army Board, and many other local organizations; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji loved socializing with friends and family; he was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and faithful supporter of the Fighting Illini; he delighted in the Peanuts comic strip and had a soft spot for Snoopy; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji carried true civic responsibility with great integrity; he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend; and

WHEREAS, Ken Gunji is survived by his wife, Kimiko; his daughters, Tricia (Robert) Ballsrud and Jennifer (Jeff) Rinaldo; and his granddaughter, Mika; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ken Gunji, 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 Ken Gunji as an expression of our deepest sympathy.