Robert Maurice Hess, age 91, passed away Monday, February 13, after a short illness at Geisinger Medical Center in Scranton, PA. He was predeceased by his dear wife of 58 years, Constance Orris Hess; his parents, Maurice and Emily Hess; brother Lauren Hess; nephew Lauren Hess, Jr. and his two best Navy pals, Eugene Lynch and Jack Trout. He is survived by his daughter Jocelyn Hess-Wigder (Kim), sons Douglas Hess (Diane) and Randy Hess (Christina); his grandchildren Jessica Hess, Matthew Hess, Daniel Hess, Emily Hess, Colin Hess and Ethan Wigder and great-granddaughters Peyton Hess and Maddison O’Reilly. His grand kids were the light of his life; nearly every morning Papa could be found spending time proudly walking them around the neighborhood block. Especially dear to him were his little girls. In fact, the only pictures you could find in Papa’s wallet were of Jessica and Emily. The cherry on the top for him was getting to hold his two great-granddaughters Peyton and Maddie.
Bob was a graduate of the Vestal High School class of 1949 and after a short stint at the post office, enlisted in the US Navy in 1950. He served on the LST ship USS Pima County 1081 during the Korean conflict as a Petty Officer Third Class. After serving, he was employed by IBM. He then earned a degree in Business at Broome Technical College. He loved to tell stories about his time at IBM, being one of the young bucks on the ground floor of this new-fangled thing called computer programming. There he met his wife, Connie. She was the spark of light and fun in his life. He was a devoted father, raising his three children with her, setting up many family camping adventures over the years. Every summer, you could find him digging clams and catching blue crabs in the Ocean View Delaware inlet, a particular joy for him. He retired from IBM in 1991, and thereafter, he and Connie traveled extensively, notching up many cruise vacations, his favorite way to travel.
A particularly important part of his life during retirement was reconnecting with his LST shipmates. He and Connie would attend the yearly ship reunions all over the country, rekindling dear friendships with his “band of brothers”. He was very involved with their newsletter and reunion planning. His pals Lynch, Trout, Ski and McKenna were like family in their later years. Bob was the last of that group of sailors, their watch now done, he now joins them now to sail off into the stars. His quiet presence and humor will be missed.
The family will receive friends on Sunday February 19, 2023 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E Main Street, Endicott, NY. A burial service will take place at Riverhurst Cemetery Monday, 10:30 am with Full Military Honors. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Bob’s memory to the American Legion.