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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Richard M. Hadfield of Springfield,
4 who passed away on April 1, 2024; and
5 WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield was born to Earl and Wilma
6 (Merrell) Hadfield in Ewing, Missouri on October 18, 1931; he
7 attended Ewing schools, where he excelled in math and science
8 and played basketball; he received an associate's degree from
9 Hannibal LaGrange College, where he played as a guard and
10 center on the school's basketball team; he earned his Bachelor
11 of Science from the University of Missouri in 1954; he then
12 volunteered to serve in the Veterinary Corps of the U.S. Army
13 and was stationed in California for the two years of his
14 service; he married Connie Lou Murphy in 1957; he earned his
15 Master of Arts from Truman University; he received his
16 Educational Specialist degree from Western Illinois
17 University; he participated in the doctoral program at
18 Illinois State University; and
19 WHEREAS, During his summers in college, Richard Hadfield
20 worked as a roughneck in the oil fields in Midland, Texas; he
21 also helped his grandfather on the family farm and worked in
22 the farm co-op that his father managed; and
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1 WHEREAS, Upon beginning his career in education, Richard
2 Hadfield taught trigonometry, calculus, and various science
3 and agriculture courses in high schools in Ilasco and
4 Hannibal, Missouri; he was hired as superintendent of
5 Meredosia-Chambersburg Community Unit School District (CUSD)
6 #11 in Illinois in 1962, where he led the effort to construct a
7 new junior high school building and gymnasium; he continued
8 his career as superintendent of El Paso-Gridley CUSD #11 in
9 1972, where he pursued the construction of a new grade school;
10 he then served as superintendent of Williamsville-Sherman CUSD
11 #15, where he provided 16 years of exemplary service until his
12 retirement in 1994; and
13 WHEREAS, Over the course of his career, Richard Hadfield
14 took his position as superintendent beyond its traditional
15 role, maintaining his commercial driver's license (CDL) to
16 assist with transporting teams, visiting with support staff
17 daily, rarely missing any extracurricular programs, and often
18 sponsoring various field trips, including teaching students
19 skiing in the winters and water skiing in the summers;
20 throughout his tenure as superintendent, he retained his
21 impassioned focus on the welfare and future of his students;
22 and
23 WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield served on many boards and
24 committees, including the Illinois Educators Credit Union for
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1 over 30 years, the Sangamon Menard County Regional Board of
2 Trustees, the Sangamon State University Round Table, the
3 Sangamon County Schoolmasters, the Sangamon Area Special
4 Education District, the Meredosia Lions Club, the Kiwanis
5 Clubs of El Paso and Williamsville/Sherman, and the Calvary
6 Church Board; and
7 WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield was an avid boater and water
8 skier, and he enjoyed his home on the Lake of the Ozarks, where
9 he spent most of his time during retirement; he also enjoyed
10 golfing with friends; and
11 WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield committed to his faith at an
12 early age, becoming known for living as a model of its
13 teachings; above all else, he was a devoted husband and father
14 who dedicated most of his free time to his family and church;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield was preceded in death by his
17 parents and his brothers, Roger and Ramon Hadfield; and
18 WHEREAS, Richard Hadfield is survived by his wife, Connie
19 Hadfield; his daughter, MayeBeth Hadfield; his sister, Ruth
20 Ann (Barr) McReynolds; his sisters-in-law, Shirley Hadfield
21 and Donna Hadfield; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins;
22 therefore, be it
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1 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
2 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3 Richard M. Hadfield and extend our sincere condolences to his
4 family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
5 further
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