Obituary of Richard Louis Hess

Richard Louis Hess, age 79, of Pittstown NJ, died Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington NJ from complications following a stroke. At the time of his passing he was surrounded by his loving wife of fifty-three years and their three sons. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Richard (Dick) was born September 20, 1937 in Newark NJ. He grew up in Hillside NJ, attended Hillside public schools, and Bucknell University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1959, was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and participated in Bucknell's ROTC program. He served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1969. Dick joined the family real estate and insurance business, started by his father in 1929, and earned the professional designations of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Associate in Risk Management (ARM). The Hillside NJ-based business, Louis J. Hess and Son, acquired various companies over the years, relocated to Warren NJ and became The Hess Group, Inc. Dick served as president then chairman of the board until his semi-retirement. This third-generation, family-owned business continues to be run by two of his sons. In June of 1963 Richard married the former Dolores Arlene Hall (Dody) of Short Hills NJ and they raised three sons. They lived in Chatham and Hillside before moving in 1972 to Pittstown NJ where Dick and Dody have resided for the past forty-five years. Dick was an active member of various professional and civic organizations throughout his life including the Independent Insurance Agents of New Jersey, the Society of CPCU and CLU, the Warren Business and Professional Association, the Rotary Club of Hillside NJ, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Hillside NJ, the Atlas Pythagoras Masonic Lodge in Westfield NJ, and the Watchung Sail and Power Squadron. He also served on the Union Township (Hunterdon County) Planning Board for more than twenty years. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, and a member of the Hunterdon County Ducks Unlimited. He was also a member of several sporting clubs including Amwell Valley Conservancy, Anglers Anonymous Fly Fishing Club, the Tuscarora Club of Millbrook NY, and the Nassau Gun Club. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Evelyn (Martin) Hess, sister Geraldine (Hess) Marshall, brother-in-law Donald Marshall, and nephew Bruce Marshall. He is survived by his devoted wife Dolores Hess and their three sons Richard Hess, Jr. and his wife Mary Beth of Davidsonville MD, Donald Hess and Carolyn Klein of Bridgewater NJ, and Robert Hess and his wife Karen of Bethlehem Township NJ. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Sandra Hall of Woodland Hills CA; cousin Lynn (Donnelly) Gorton and family of Alexandria VA; nephews Andrew, David, and Daniel Marshall and their families of MN; and his beloved grandchildren, Winston, Rosalie, and Lily. A service of remembrance will be held by the family at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Tuscarora Club - Demis Covered Bridge Fund c/o Tuscarora Club, 4325 Millbrook Rd, Margaretville, NY 12455.