Richard Hess

Richard “Dick” Hess died Sunday, December 20, 2020, of natural causes, just after his 90th birthday. He was surrounded by his family. Dick was born in 1930 in Laona, Wisconsin to Frank A. and Florence A. Hess. He enjoyed a life of adventure with his older brother Robert “Bob”, and his younger brother Frank and sister Delores in Cavour and Baraboo, Wisconsin, with Cavour always considered home to the family. At a young age, Dick showed a passion for aviation and, at the age of eleven, paid $2 for his first airplane ride in Crandon, Wisconsin. Later, he earned his pilot’s license and purchased a single-engine Luscombe. Though the plane was later sold, he continued to rent planes at Chino Airport to take family and friends on soaring adventures in the skies of Southern California. A significant event, and lifelong memory to Dick, dates back to May 1935, when, during the Great Depression, his family boarded a train heading to Alaska to bravely participate in the colonization of the Matanuska Valley agricultural area in Palmer, Alaska. This was the only time the United States Government ever sponsored a colony project. The family lived in a tent village for five months while they cleared a plot of land and built a house without electricity or indoor plumbing. Living in Alaska posed its challenges, however, and the family returned to Wisconsin in June 1936. Despite his young age and the short duration, in his heart, Palmer, Alaska was a big part of his life. Dick graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville with a degree in Industrial Arts in 1954, and served his country in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, as a helicopter mechanic from 1954 to 1956. He began his career as a high school industrial arts teacher in Beloit, Wisconsin in 1956, while simultaneously earning his Master’s Degree in Industrial Education from Northern Illinois University. In 1961, he moved to Ontario, California to start a teaching job at Chaffey High School. After the move to California, he became actively involved in the Catholic Alumni Club where he served as President and met Mary Ellen Sanner who was the Secretary. On Valentine’s Day 1963, Dick proposed to Mary Ellen and they were married in July. After the birth of their first child, they moved into a home in Ontario, California in June 1964 where Dick could walk or, occasionally, drive his 1960 Black Volkswagen Bug to work. Dick designed and constructed an addition of two bedrooms and a bath to the house so they could raise their growing family and make memories at the home for 55 years. He was a beloved teacher and after more than three decades of teaching at Chaffey High School, the district offered these words of thanks at his retirement: We pay tribute to you, not just for thirty-one years of service, but for your attributes of loyalty and steadfastness, high standards of professionalism, genuine concern for young people in helping them toward the goal of self-realization, and deep commitment to the ideals of education. You have served as an inspiration to many – for this, we say a simple but heartfelt ‘thank you,’ and wish for you in your retirement all the benefits and blessings which you so richly deserve. Dick was well known for his creative, mechanical mind and a wonderful sense of humor. He could fix and build anything with the many tools he kept in his garage and every encounter with Dick was peppered with one of his corny jokes! He was especially known for “teaching fractions” by using the half pointer finger on his right hand that he lost as a five-year-old. He chose a life of service and utilized his talents for both family and community. His volunteer hours for charity and service organizations were extensive. Some of his most significant contributions were serving as captain for over forty years to the men’s annual spiritual retreat at El Carmelo Retreat House. He also volunteered at St. George Catholic Church in many capacities. Remarkedly, this included running his own ‘used furnishings warehouse’ to aid the many Vietnamese immigrants as they relocated to the community. Later in life, he joined the Knights of Columbus service organization and was legendary for his command of their annual Lenten Fish Fry. He also supported his children’s activities including Boy and Girl Scouts, the YMCA Adventure Guides, youth soccer, and high school athletics. Dick is survived by Mary Ellen, his daughters Cynthia M. Tessin and Julie A. Chevraux (Matt), and son Joseph R. Hess (Isabel), six grandchildren – Thomas, John, Garrett, Sarah, Ryan, and Alyssa, his brother Robert G. Hess (Phyllis), his sister Delores A. Triest, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dick was predeceased by his parents and brother Frank O. Hess. The family will be holding a viewing on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Draper Mortuary from 4 – 8 pm. Social distancing protocol will be followed and appointments can be made at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4AAFA922A7FC1-viewing. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider making a donation to the Palmer Historical Society (www.palmerhistoricalsociety.com) or the Knights of Columbus (www.kofc.org).

Richard Hess

December 9, 1930 - December 20, 2020

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Richard Hess

December 9, 1930 - December 20, 2020

COVID-19

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

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About Us

Obituaries

What We Do

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support