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 ...
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