[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE LIFE OF BOB VOSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NIKKI BUDZINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2023

  Ms. BUDZINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert 
``Bob'' W. Vose, of Springfield, Illinois, who passed away on Monday, 
January 20, 2023. He was 94 years old.
  The son of John and Hedwig Vose, Bob was born on January 29, 1929. He 
was raised in Springfield alongside his five brothers and six sisters, 
where he attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Lanphier High School 
until he chose to serve our country in the United States Army.
  Bob was a proud and active citizen, humbly serving his country and 
community. Bob would marry Virginia in 1953 and raise his six children 
in the city he loved. He would work for the Illinois Ice Company before 
becoming a City Water Light and Power meter reader and, eventually, a 
stationary engineer for the State of Illinois. He was a proud member of 
IBEW union, organizing with Local 193 for 65 years.
  Bob would become the first city alderman elected to represent Ward 5 
and continued to be an advocate for his ward and its' residents long 
after his term of service expired. He was a very generous man, donating 
his time and talents to a great many local causes throughout his entire 
life. He loved playing the role of Santa Claus at the city recreation 
department and was a referee and umpire of high school sports for 
several years. He sponsored the annual Goodwill client Halloween and 
Christmas parties for 34 years. He was a member of the Oak Ridge 
Cemetery Foundation and was very active in fundraising for the cemetery 
and responsible for Monument Avenue Beautification improvements.
  Bob's statewide claim to fame were his corndogs. Based on his 
grandmother's recipe that he safeguarded, ``The Korndog King'' would 
start selling his famous Vose Corn Dogs at the Illinois State Fair in 
1967 with his brothers. Eventually, Bob and Virginia would continue 
Vose Fine Food on the fairgrounds for 50 years and become a fourth-
generation family business. The Vose Family Corn Dog stand is a staple 
of the fair and continues to be an annual tradition.
  Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; four 
brothers; and six sisters. He is survived by his 6 children, Robert 
Vose, Jr., Virginia (Mike) Geiger, Ronald (Marybeth) Vose, Kenneth 
(Roxann) Vose, Debra Vose and Sandra (Robert) Orr; 14 grandchildren and 
12 great-grandchildren; last brother, Harold (Jean) Vose; and several 
nieces and nephews.
  Robert was an icon of Springfield; one not built from a desire for 
fame, but one established from his years of service and dedication to 
the betterment of his community. His absence will leave a large hole 
within Springfield, and he will be missed.

                          ____________________