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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN ROYAL BODINE
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called from our midst John Royal Bodine on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, John was born in Washington DC on October 16, 1943 to Mary Jane and Royal John Bodine; and
WHEREAS, John and his sister grew up in River Forest, IL and graduated from Oak Park High School; and
WHEREAS, John received his BA and Master’s Degree from Purdue University, and had a fellowship to work on his PhD at The University of California, Riverside; and
WHEREAS, John was a renaissance man who started his career as a Political Science professor and Crew coach at West Virginia University, Charleston, Columbia in New York City and later Purdue University; and
WHEREAS, John was working on his PhD before he joined his 115-year-old family business in 1983, Bodine Electric, whose Corporate Headquarters were located in Chicago until 10 years ago when it was moved it to Northfield; and
WHEREAS, John became CEO and President in 1989 where he served until 2017 after which he became Chairman of the Board for the last 3 years of his career; and
WHEREAS, John appreciated every employee at Bodine, and at Bodine and in his daily life, he made such an impact on so many lives and always had a smile, would share an idea, a pearl of wisdom or a joke; and
WHEREAS, John was well-read, well-traveled, smart, inclusive, generous and always engaged, and his love for his family was only matched by his tireless desire and hard work to make Bodine Electric a world-class manufacturer; and
WHEREAS, John would travel as often as possible, bringing friends, his children and grandchildren, and delighted in showing them the world, in all traveling to 75 countries; and
WHEREAS, John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Sherill, daughter Heidi Anderson, sons Alan and Michael Bodine, daughter Kate Huff, fourteen grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; and
WHEREAS, the Bodine family has pledged to continue his legacy of excellence;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby offer its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of John Royal Bodine; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and a suitable copy be presented to the family of John Royal Bodine so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
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