It is with deep sadness that the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering shares news that Rebekah Schiff-Berger, a sophomore in Chemical Engineering, passed away on Friday. Our hearts go out to Rebekah’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Rebekah was a James Scholar and active in various student organizations at the University of Illinois, including the Illinois chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the department’s Undergraduate Advisory Board, and others.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Leaning Tower YMCA, 6300 W. Touhy Ave., Niles, where Rebekah worked for several years. The service will be in the Skyline Room on the 9th floor. Students are welcome to attend; they will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and memories of Rebekah. University Housing will provide transportation to the service in Niles for students, faculty and staff attending from Champaign-Urbana. Please email Andi Cailles at acailles[figure="" class="" width="10"]illinois [dot] edu by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, to reserve a seat on the university-chartered bus.
Memories and condolences can be shared online.
The university offers support services and resources for grieving students. The Counseling Center provides grief counseling and emotional support for students, faculty, and staff. The McKinley Health Center provides counseling and psychiatry services, and the Office of the Dean of Students can help connect students to a variety of resources or if the student’s grief is impeding his or her ability to function academically. In addition, the 24 hour Champaign County Crisis Line at (217) 359-4141 offers immediate assistance outside of the regular hours of the Counseling Center and McKinley.