SR0942 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0942 LRB102 24583 ECR 33817 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the passing of Don Offermann, who passed away on December 26, 2021 at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann was born on April 30, 1937 in Red Bud; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann was raised by his loving parents, Viola (Binder) and the Reverend Theodore Offermann, along with his five brothers and sisters; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in Missouri, Don Offermann was eager to see the "big city;" with just a pillow and a suitcase, he moved from Lockwood, Missouri to River Forest to attend Concordia Teacher's College, now Concordia University of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, During college, Don Offermann pursued a degree in English and met his wife, Verna; after graduating in 1958, he and Verna were married on June 18, 1960 and were blessed with four children; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann began his career in education as an English teacher at Luther North High School in Chicago; in 1964, he joined the faculty of Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) High School, where he would remain for a truly remarkable 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann entered OPRF as an English teacher, coaching soccer and track after school; as his career advanced, he served as the English department assistant chair, English department chair, assistant principal, assistant superintendent, associate superintendent, and finally superintendent/principal; and

WHEREAS, As a track coach, Don Offermann trained future University of Illinois track star Rich Brooks; together, they started the Oak and William (OW) Running Club whose members became known as "OWies;" he remained good friends with Rich for the rest of his life and continued to run with the "OWies" three times a week into his eighties; his running friends remember him as "a disciplined guy" who added a "camaraderie of purpose" to the group; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann was not one to stay idle; less than two weeks after his "retirement" from OPRF in 1999, he started his next career at Forest Park National Bank and Trust Company, where he became senior vice president of business development and dedicated himself to serving the community, making personal connections with bank patrons, and investing in the local businesses; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann was instrumental in the development of Madison Street in Forest Park; this development led to the creation of the thriving retail, dining, and entertainment district there today; during his career at Forest Park National Bank, he, along with his business partner Art Jones, created Windmill Industries through which they bought key but underutilized properties in Forest Park's business district, vetted potential new owners, did some minor renovations, and then transferred ownership; this was all with the primary aim of helping Forest Park become a better place to live, work, and do business; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann dedicated himself to helping those around him; whether it was educating students at OPRF, running with fellow "OWies," or helping to grow small businesses in Forest Park, he was always giving back to his community; in addition to serving fellow citizens in his educational and banking careers, he volunteered on the boards of various local organizations, served as president of the River Forest Tennis Club, served as chairman of the Board of Directors for West Suburban Hospital and Resurrection Hospital, served as a board member of the Concordia University Foundation, and served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Hemingway Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Don Offermann is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Verna; his children, Daniel (Cynthia), Nancy (Doug Shea), David (Gina), and Monika (Terrence Nash); and his grandchildren, Graham, Lindsey, Colette, Kendra, Matthew, Aaron, Paul, Griffin, Drew, and Jackson; 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 Don Offermann 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 Don Offermann as an expression of our deepest sympathy.