George L. Sodemann

George L. SodemannGeorge L. Sodemann passed away at 7:53 a.m. Sunday, February 19, 2012 at his home in Champaign. Mr. Sodemann was born on December 7, 1926, in Clinton, Iowa, the only son of Hugo Sodemann and Elsie Schroeder Sodemann. He married Marjorie Edwards Graef on April 1, 1949. She survives. Also surviving are four children: Pamela Sodemann, a Designer at Northrop Grumann of Newport News, Virginia; Steven (Lauren) Sodemann, President, Sodemann and Associates, Inc., Champaign, IL; Nancy (Lynn) Standish, Primary Financial Specialist, Idaho Dept. of Labor, Boise, Idaho; Scott (Lonna) Sodemann, President, Sodemann Architects, Hilton Head Island, S.C. Eight grandchildren survive: Terri Pones, Tucson, Arizona, Kara (Chris) Olsen, Monticello, IL, Erica Tyler, Savoy, IL, Kirsten (Ben) Zumbahlen, Tolono, IL, Drew (Brittany) Tyler, Bradley, IL, Todd (Sandi) Standish, Kirkland, WA, and Gina Sodemann and Luke Sodemann, Hilton Head Island, S.C. Ten great-grandchildren survive: Alyssa Cole and Logan Pones, Tucson, Arizona, Kaelan Olsen, Ryan Olsen, and Tyler Olsen, Monticello, IL, Paige Fair, Savoy, IL, Logan Zumbahlen, Tolono, IL, Taylor Standish, Zack Standish, and Sofia Standish, Kirkland, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents. George graduated from Lyons High School, Clinton, Iowa, in 1944; followed by a 16 month tour of duty with the U. S. Navy. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Engineering in 1950. In 1955 he established the civil engineering firm of Sodemann and Associates, Inc., serving as president until he sold it to his son Steven in 2008. George was a Registered Professional Engineer in the states of California, Florida, Illinois, and South Carolina. He was an honorary member and former president of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, former president of the Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois, former board member of the American Consulting Engineers Council, and a member of NSPE, ASCE, APWA, AWWA, and the Water Pollution Control Federation. In addition to his professional activities, his community service included time serving on the Board of Directors of the McKinley YMCA, Mercy Hospital, Provena Covenant Medical Center, Covenant Medical Center Foundation (past chairman), and Covenant Medical Center Hospital Planning Committee. George was a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Champaign County including serving as the President of the Board in 1987 and the Campaign Chairman in 1985. He served as the Board Chairman for the United Way of Illinois in 1997 and 1998. He was Parkland Community College Foundation Fund Drive Co-Chair in 2000-2001. He and his wife Marge were named the Champaign Chamber of Commerce 2010 Citizens of the Year. Private internment services will be at Prairieview Cemetery. Memorial Services are planned for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2012, with a Meet with Family preceding at 10:00 a,m. The memorial service will be at the Morgan Memorial Home in Savoy. Memorial contributions may be made to: United Way of Champaign County, 404 West Church St., Champaign, IL 61820 or to Parkland College Foundation, 2400 West Bradley Avenue, Champaign, IL 61822