Bryan Lovelace, jr

Bryan W. Lovelace, Jr., 84, of Crystal Lake, IL passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Paradise Park Assisted Living in Fox Lake, IL. Born on January 18, 1925 in Wichita Falls, TX to the late Bryan W. and Zora (Willis) Lovelace, Sr., he remained in Illinois after earning a M.A. in Public Administration at the University of Chicago. Throughout his long and varied career, he was a leader in health care planning and an advocate for improved health care in the United States. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 1/2 years, (Mary) Frances Lovelace, son, David Bryan (Grace) Lovelace of Milan, MI, daughter, Kathleen (Mark Kennedy) Lovelace of Grayslake and four grandsons, Hugh Kennedy, Andrew Kennedy both of Grayslake, Jonathan Lovelace and Paul Lovelace both of Milan, IL; brothers, John (Carolyn) Lovelace of Wichita Falls, TX, Robert (Patricia) Lovelace of Littleton, CO; sisters, Mattilyn (Gerald) Wright of Kerrville, TX, Janet (Richard) Brown of Gainsville, GA; five nieces and nephews and several grand nieces and nephews. Bryan was educated in the Wichita Falls, TX public schools and attended Harden Junior College (established and named for his great uncle--now Midwestern University) the summer following high school graduation prior to joining the U.S. Navy in 1942. Following discharge from the Navy he attended Texas Technological College and graduated with honors in May 1948. He served as a teaching assistant the following year while taking postgraduate courses prior to entering the University of Chicago. Bryan's first professional job as Assistant Administrator to the Supt. of Anna State Hospital launched his career in health services. After returning to the U. of C. for additional post graduate work, he was chosen to be a part of a project study for American Hospital Assn. (AHA) assessing the impact on the Hill-Burton Act on services to rural and underserved areas of the U.S. Bryan continued his employment with AHA, leaving to attend the School of Public Health at the University of Micgigan for additional post graduate work. He served as a research assistant at Northwestern University Hospitals prior to joining the Regional Health Palnning Agency staff. he then served Health Planning Agencies in GA, Rockford, IL, and was Executive Director of Iowa-Illinois Helath Planning Agency in Moline, IL. His subsequent employment with the Chicago Area Agency on Aging focused his interest in quality service to the elderly. In 1987, Bryan retired from the financial department of Pinoeer Center in McHenry, IL. Bryan served in the Navy during WWII from 1942 until 1946. He received a commission in the Naval Reserve in 1949, serving for ten years. He was a member of the American Public Health Association for over 50 years. Over the years Bryan had been a Toastmaster and Rotarian. After retirement Bryan was selected to represent McHenry County by serving on Board of Directors as well as the Advisory Committee for the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Bryan received the Governor's award for his long-time service in serving the elderly as a professional as well as a volunteer. He did tax returns for more than 20 years at H&R Block before retiring. He participated in the Senior Services Tax Aid program as well as assisting Pioneer Center's residents with filing tax returns to receive refunds and benefits for which they qualified. As a member of the First Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, IL for 21 years, Bryan served in various voluntary positions within the church as well as serving the church's outreach via Good Samaritan, PADS, RSVP (Senior Services), CROP Walk and Meals on Wheels. Visitation will occur at 9:30 am until services at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave., (815) 459-0785. Interment at Warren Cemetery & Mausoleum in Gurnee will follow these events. Donations to these agencies will help others, as Bryan did during his life: Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Bryan Lovelace Memorial, 245 W. Roosevelt Road, Bldg. 6, Ste. 41, West Chicgao, IL 60185, website: http://ageguide.org/, (630) 293-5990 or Alzheimer's Association, Tribute for Bryan Lovelace, website: http://act.alz.org/site/TR, (800) 272-3900.