Bill Text: IL SR0999 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Kenneth E. "Ken" Kolb, Ph.D. of Peoria.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-11-16 - Resolution Adopted [SR0999 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0999-Introduced.html

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SR0999 LRB102 27363 LAW 39152 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Kenneth E. "Ken" Kolb, Ph.D. of
Peoria, who passed away on April 11, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Ken Kolb was born to Frederick and Lillian
(Baisch) Kolb in Louisville, Kentucky on January 21, 1928; he
attended Louisville Male High School; he enrolled at the
University of Louisville in 1945; he married Doris Jean Kasey
at the First Unitarian Church in Louisville on September 18,
1948, and she preceded him in death in 2005; alongside Doris,
he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from The Ohio State
University in 1953; and
WHEREAS, Ken Kolb and Doris both went to work at Standard
Oil of Indiana in Whiting, Indiana after graduation; they
moved to Corning, New York in 1957, where he took a research
position with Corning Glass while she started the chemistry
program at the new Corning Community College; he helped her
and became interested in teaching; he took a position at
Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1965, where he
taught full time until 1993 and part time until 2003; he served
as chairman for two decades before continuing as emeritus
faculty; and

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WHEREAS, During his career, Ken Kolb authored numerous
professional publications, many co-authored with Doris; he was
a visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin three
times; he lectured across the country on "The Many Facets of
Glass" and co-authored a book on the subject with Doris;
together, they created the Doris and Kenneth Kolb Chemistry
Lecture, which has brought world class chemists, including
three Nobel Prize winners, to lecture at Bradley University;
and
WHEREAS, Ken Kolb was a member of the American Chemical
Society since 1949; he also received the Samuel Rothberg Award
for Professional Excellence; and
WHEREAS, Ken Kolb loved his family, chemistry, Bradley
University, Manhattan cocktails, real theater, art glass,
moderately priced wine, meals at Paparazzi with his family,
and traveling, especially to London; he was known for
correcting people who ended their sentences in prepositions,
particularly "at"; and
WHEREAS, Ken Kolb was preceded in death by his wife,
Doris, and his son, Ken Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Ken Kolb is survived by his significant other,
Jean Jost; his sons, Jerry (Laura) and Ron; his

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daughter-in-law, Darci; his grandchildren, Timothy Kolb,
Caitlin Kolb, Melissa Wilkinson, Marci (Sam) Stitt, Kasey Kolb
(Tyler Merritt), Abby (Joe) Kernin, and Ben Heffel; and the
person who saved his life and made his final Manhattan, Ben
Knuffman-Brewer; 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
Kenneth E. "Ken" Kolb, Ph.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 Ken Kolb as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.