By: Hunter, B. H.R. No. 348 73R5952 LBD-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Robert E. Kennedy on February 1-2 15, 1993, at the age of 79, is a great loss to the many friends, 1-3 relatives, and colleagues of this distinguished Texas businessman 1-4 and community leader; and 1-5 WHEREAS, With his family roots firmly planted in Abilene 1-6 soil, Mr. Kennedy shared a timeless bond with this West Texas 1-7 community; in fact, his great-grandfather, J. V. Cunningham, served 1-8 as sheriff for 25 years during the earliest days of the town's 1-9 history; and 1-10 WHEREAS, From humble beginnings, Mr. Kennedy made a name for 1-11 himself in Abilene's business arena; while pursuing a degree at 1-12 Simmons University, he accepted a position as a part-time mail 1-13 clerk with West Texas Utilities Company in 1933 and, over 40 years 1-14 later, he retired from the company as its chairman and chief 1-15 executive officer; and 1-16 WHEREAS, With the military beckoning in the mid-1940s, 1-17 Mr. Kennedy left the familiarity of his civilian position to answer 1-18 his country's call; after officer training at Camp Barkeley, he was 1-19 commissioned as a second lieutenant in the medical corps and served 1-20 for a time as a public relations officer at San Antonio's Brooke 1-21 Army Medical Center during a devastating polio epidemic; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy married the former Elizabeth Faucett and 1-23 enjoyed a rewarding marriage until her death in 1974; together they 1-24 raised a lovely daughter, Lenda; Mr. Kennedy later remarried, and 2-1 shared many years of happiness and companionship with his beloved 2-2 wife, the former Margaret Wheeler; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy was an integral part of many positive 2-4 programs in his community, faithfully working behind the scenes to 2-5 make them successful; he derived a great deal of personal 2-6 satisfaction from his active involvement in such organizations as 2-7 the American Red Cross, United Way of Abilene, the Abilene Public 2-8 Library, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA, the West Texas 2-9 Rehabilitation Center, and the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly 2-10 Rest, where he was a member; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy loved Abilene and was dedicated to the 2-12 well-being of his friends and neighbors; though his fellowship will 2-13 be greatly missed, the many pleasant memories he leaves behind in 2-14 the hearts of his loved ones will comfort and inspire them as they 2-15 fondly recall his vigorous spirit and zest for life; now, 2-16 therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert E. Kennedy and 2-19 extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-20 wife, Margaret "Peg" Kennedy of Abilene; to his daughter, Lenda 2-21 Delk of Houston; to his four stepchildren, John Gregory Wheeler of 2-22 El Paso, Roger Michael Wheeler of Abilene, Susan Wheeler Johnson of 2-23 New Orleans, and Gay Wheeler Schuster of Zurich, Switzerland; to 2-24 his grandchildren, Joanne Delk and Karen Delk of Houston, Maya 2-25 Schuster, Susanna Schuster, and Anja Gunthardt of Zurich, 2-26 Switzerland, Jackson Wheeler of El Paso, and Margaret and Hanagan 2-27 Johnson of New Orleans; and to the many other relatives and friends 3-1 of this honorable gentleman; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 3-3 for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of 3-4 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Robert E. 3-5 Kennedy.