SR1577 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1577 LRB100 21452 ALS 38093 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn about the death of Michael Anthony Werckle, M.D. of Rockford, who passed away on March 28, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle was born in Peoria to Winton Earl and Florine Yvonne (Carollo) Werckle on August 10, 1939; he graduated from Rockford East High School, with one of the first National Merit Scholarships, in 1957; he worked to pay his way through Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa and graduated with his bachelor of arts degree in 1962; he then graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1966; he completed his internship and residency through the University of Michigan at Wayne County General Hospital, where he quickly rose to the position of Director of the Outpatient Department and Long Term Care Facility; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, Dr. Werckle returned to Illinois to serve as Associate Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health in Springfield, where he was instrumental in the effort to vaccinate school children during the outbreak of swine flu in 1976; he moved back to his hometown of Rockford in 1977, where he joined the faculty of the newly-formed University of Illinois College of Medicine as Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, a position he held until his passing; he opened North Alpine Medical Clinic, later Rockford Clinic on North Alpine, in an underserved area in 1980; he practiced internal medicine there, specializing in geriatrics, until his retirement in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle received many awards and honors during his life, including two Golden Apple Awards, a Faculty Distinguished Service Award, the Arnold Gold Humanism in Medicine Award, and the Endowed Professorship in Biomedical Services in his name, which was made possible by a grant from the Blazer Foundation; on March 28, 2018, he was honored by the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford at the investiture ceremony for the Michael A. Werckle, M.D. Endowed Professorship in Biomedical Sciences; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle served on many boards, including Rockford Health System, Lifescape, Wesley Willows, and the Visiting Nurses Association; he served as President of Medical Staff at Rockford Memorial Hospital and was the Medical Director of many organizations, including Rockford Clinic, Fairhaven Christian Home, Willows on Main, Alpine Fireside, and In Home Medical Service; in 2017, he became the majority owner of Hospice Care of America, where he had served as Medical Director since 2006; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle was a lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rockford, and he remembered carrying bricks as a child for the construction of the church's building; he was an avid fan of antique and vintage cars and was active in many car clubs, including the Vintage Motor Car Club of America and the Rock-Ford A's, serving as President of both organizations; he enjoyed driving in classic car tours and was known to make house calls to elderly patients in an antique car of their choice; he will be remembered as a compassionate physician, respected educator, and dedicated public servant, who believed in the healing power of listening compassionately; recalling his working class roots, he provided care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia Werckle Zeller; his stepparents, Ralph Steele and Winifred Werckle; his grandparents; his aunts and uncles; his cousin; his special friend, Cedric W. Blazer; and his beloved Rottweilers, Lovie and Millie; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Werckle is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Michael David Werckle, Elizabeth Ann Werckle, and Sarah Kathryn (Matthew) Rip; his grandchildren, Anne Lee Harris, Dashiell Michael Rip, and Lincoln Russell Rip; his sister, Jacqueline (Werckle) White; his brothers, W. David (Sara) Werckle and Richard L. (Linda) Werckle; his special cousin, Joseph Broz; his special friend, Mark R. Blazer; his 18 nieces and nephews; his four cousins; and his grand-dog, "Dad."; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Michael Anthony Werckle, M.D. 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. Werckle as an expression of our deepest sympathy.