MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR ROBERT B. GREEN
WHEREAS, in his infinite wisdom, Almighty God has granted eternal peace to Robert B. Green on January 22, 2019;and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Anthony Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Robert was born on October 11, 1936, to Elzy ("Rico"), a professional chef and boxer, and Vera Green, an engraver and homemaker. He was the oldest of three children and was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marilyn; and
WHEREAS, as a young boy, Robert lived with his family in the Ida B. Wells Homes, a public housing project in the city's Bronzeville neighborhood. He attended the Metropolitan Community Church, where his grandmother, Belle Boarde, was a member. While there, he took an interest in the Phalanx Fraternity, associated with the local YMCA, and later became a member of the service organization; and
WHEREAS, Robert graduated from Tilden Technical High School in 1955. Shortly thereafter, he joined the United States Air Force and achieved the status of Airman Second Class. During his dedicated military service, he also received the Good Conduct Medal. Following active duty, he served as a member of the Air Force Reserve until April 1963, when he was honorably discharged; and
WHEREAS, Robert's interest in music began when he heard Moe Koffman's jazz tune "Swingin' Shepherd Blues" and instantly fell in love. That day, not knowing how to blow one note, he bought a flute and launched his musical career; and
WHEREAS, Robert studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music where he honed his skill on the flute under the tutelage of Mr. George Olson. Later, he enrolled at Woodrow Wilson Junior College to advance his post-secondary education; and
WHEREAS, not only was Robert a dedicated musician, he was also an activist committed to the cause of artists' rights. In 1965, he became a charter member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), an organization that defined how individuals and ensembles composed and improvised their works, as well as how they could take control of their own performances and recordings; and
WHEREAS, while pursuing his music and academics, Robert worked at the Chicago Department of Buildings, where he met his beloved wife and lifelong partner, Hattie Griffin. The couple wed in June of 1966 and blessed with two sons, Julian and Justin; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, Robert founded the Chatham Village Symphony Orchestra, the only black orchestra
of its kind in Chicago. Directed by his longtime friend, Fred Cockerham, the orchestra performed at
numerous events across the Chicagoland area.; and . , in
WHEREAS, Robert's love for making music extefy3<b.d.:beybnd Chicago. For four decades, he played with
the Gary Civic Symphony Orchestra, including when its jmegih^rllperformed at the White House for
President Ronald Regan in 1982; and 8b :o »
WHEREAS, alongside his passion for music, Robert established a long career in the printing trade. From 1966 to 1968 he worked as a journeyman multilith operator at the J.J. Collins printing company in Chicago, and was a member of the Lithographer and Photoengravers Union. In 1969, he joined the American Banknote Company, where he spent more than 20 years as a duplicator. In 1992, Robert left American Banknote and worked as a pressman for the Chicago Park District until his retirement from the trade in 1995;and
WHEREAS, in retirement, Robert was able to devote more time to his family, pour his boundless energy and creativity into the development of new hobbies, like golf, cooking, and darts; and, of course, spend more time on his music; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Robert especially looked forward to playing his flute during the holiday season and performing in Handel's Messiah at various Chicago churches, including Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Congregational Church, Holy Angels, and Hartzell United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Robert taught many people yearning to become flutists. One of his students, Demarre McGill, became a world-renowned classical musician and the principal flutist for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra; and
i
WHEREAS, over the years, Robert developed his father's penchant for cooking and enjoyed preparing meals for his family during the holidays, special occasions, or any time anyone wanted to enjoy great cuisine. At his family's encouragement, he parlayed his culinary skills into launching a small catering business; and
WHEREAS, Robert leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife Hattie; sons, Lawrence Green (Beverly), Julian (Antris) and Justin (Naseem) Green; five grandchildren, Ashley, Ahjah, Gianna, Jailyn, and Julian "Alex" Green; sister, Ruth Ann Alexander; a host of extended family and treasured friends; and
WHEREAS, Robert deeply touched the lives of all who knew him through his kindness, zest for life and learning, immense talents, and vivacious spirit. He will be profoundly missed, but his rich legacy as a gifted and loving human being will live on in all who knew and loved him; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this thirteenth day of March 2019, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family of Robert B. Green; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Robert B. Green as a sign of our honor, gratitude, and respect.
ANVHONY BEALE Alderman, 9th Ward