Richard E. Hess

Richard E. Hess, 86 of Buffalo Township, passed away Monday, January 27, 2020 at Butler Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 19, 1933 in Fawn Township to the late Edward and Cora (Kelley) Hess. He was raised in Fawn Township and graduated from Tarentum High School in 1951. A jack of all trades, there were few pieces of equipment he couldn’t operate, or construction projects he couldn’t manage. He retired after 30 plus years from Air Products in Creighton. During his early years, Richard logged over 2 million miles without an accident to his credit. He was a member of Center United Methodist Church in Fawn Township, a church he helped build. He was a lifetime member of Fawn Township #2 Fire Department, as well as a member of the Highlands Gridiron Club. Richard was a member of the Freeport Masonic Lodge #239, and a 32^nd degree Free Mason out of the New Castle Consistory. Richard was known by many as a person who would help anyone, regardless of the task at hand. He enjoyed restoring antique John Deere tractors, fishing, hunting, spending time at camp and vacationing in Myrtle Beach. But he enjoyed nothing more than laughing with his family, and friends while instigating most of the mischief.

          He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Leona (Fennell) Hess; children Dennis Hess, Okeechobee, FL, Cynthia Marcy, Tarentum, Dale (Kim) Hess, Fawn Twp., and Douglas (Lisa) Hess, Buffalo Twp.; grandchildren Joshua Hess, Fawn Twp., Dr. Christopher Hess, Erie, PA, Thayne (Ashley) Hess, Natrona Heights and Clay Hess, Indianapolis, IN. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Russell L. Hess.

          A private family viewing was held Wednesday in the Duster Funeral Home, Inc. 347 E 10^th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526 where services were conducted on Thursday with Rev. C. Drew Myers, officiating. Burial was in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. VISIT: dusterfh.com