HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40

(By Delegate Hunt)

Requesting the CSX overpass bridge on Kanawha Terrace, Kanawha County, West Virginia, specifically bridge number 20-60/14-2.47, be named the “Norbert E. Eagloski Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Norbert Edward "Norb" Eagloski of St. Albans, passed away Friday, April 30, 2010, at CAMC Memorial Division. He was born February 23, 1923, in Iron River, Michigan, the first born son of the late Vincent and Anna Eagloski, both of whom immigrated from Poland. Norb had four siblings: Delphine Eagloski Belkawitz, Vincent Eagloski, David Eagloski, and Ruth Eagloski Ostrowski. Norb grew up on a farm in Iron River, attended a one-room school and then went on to high school where he played ice hockey and football. He worked in the iron ore mines in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and for General Motors in Chicago, Illinois, before enlisting in the military. During World War II he was assigned to the United States Army Air Corps where he obtained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He was stationed at Delphian Green Airfield, England with the 8th Air Force, 452nd Bomb Group, 730th Bombing Squadron and was the flight engineer on the B-17 named "Rose-Etta," after the pilot's young daughter. Norb flew thirty bombing missions over Germany including the infamous attacks against the Schweinfurt ball bearing plants and the German submarine pens. He was awarded many commendations for his heroism, including the Army Air Corps "Distinguished Flying Cross"; and

    Whereas, Norb Eagloski remained committed and dedicated to his fellow veterans throughout his life, making many donations and trips to the Veterans Hospital in Barboursville , West Virginia. Upon his discharge, Norb returned to Michigan where he graduated from Michigan State University with the aid of the GI Bill. There he met the love of his life, Peggy. They were married in La Plata, Maryland on July 3, 1947. Norb earned a degree in agricultural engineering and animal husbandry and Peggy received her degree in dietetics. Upon graduation, Norb's first job was with Michigan State University’s Extension Agricultural Program where he traveled throughout Michigan teaching agricultural and animal husbandry classes. In the early 1950s, he brought his family to South Charleston where his wife had grown up. In the later fifties, he built a home on the banks of the Coal River in St. Albans where he lived until his passing. Norb and Peggy had five children all of whom still live in the Kanawha Valley/Teays Valley area. They are: Sharon L. Eagloski Kinder, whose husband is Raymond L. Kinder; Karen J. Eagloski; the Honorable Patti Ann Eagloski Schoen whose husband is Charles F. Schoen; Cathryn S. Eagloski whose husband is Joseph J. McQuaide; and the Honorable N. Edward Eagloski II. A prominent citizen of St. Albans, Norb was president of Intercity Realty Company and a general contractor by trade. He was a founding member and Life Director of the West Virginia Home Builders of Greater Charleston, a Life Director of the West Virginia Home Builders Association, a member of the National Home Builders Association and the West Virginia Landlords and Tenants Association. He enjoyed teaching others his skills and was attributed with giving many successful contractors their start in the business. He was a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and served on various church committees, contributing his time and talents. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus; and

    Whereas, His personal humility and honesty are the characteristics that made him large in stature. His handshake was his word and he believed one should always leave things better than the way one found them. Norb was preceded in death by his loving wife of almost sixty years, Margaret Louise "Peggy" (Lillie) Eagloski and his brother, David Eagloski. He was extremely proud of his seven grandchildren, always encouraging and challenging them to do their best, telling them "the sky’s the limit". His grandchildren are: Carl Kinder M.D.; Cindy Kinder Keith and her husband, Rob Keith, M.D.; Lisa Kinder Pattison, PhD. and her husband, Morgan Pattison, PhD.; Rebecca Schoen Balenovich, Esq. and her husband, John Balenovich, Esq.; David V. Schoen; and Capt Christina M. McQuaide, USAF. One of Norb's greatest joys was to interact and be with his ten great-grandchildren: Audrey Keith, Kaytlyn Keith, Robert Keith, Raymond Keith, Brendan Keith, Carter Morgan, Ella Rose Morgan, Tyler Francis Degnan-Schoen and Carson-David Maxwell Schoen; and

    Whereas, Norbert Edward "Norb" Eagloski was a man dedicated to serving his country, community and family and will be missed by all who knew him and is deserving of this tribute; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the CSX overpass bridge on Kanawha Terrace, Kanawha County, West Virginia, specifically bridge number 20-60/14-2.47, be named the “Norbert E. Eagloski Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to cause to be fabricated signs to be erected at each entryway of the bridge, containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge to be named the “Norbert E. Eagloski Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and the surviving family of Norbert E. Eagloski.