Donald "Don" R. Hess
Evansville, IN
Donald "Don" R. Hess, age 77, of Evansville, IN, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at St. Vincent Hospital - Evansville.
Don was born on March 27, 1940, in Evansville, IN to the late Walter and Florence V. (Frick) Hess. He graduated from Bosse High School in 1958 and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters Degree from University of Evansville. Don was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He was a teacher, coach, and athletic director at his former high school. Don retired EVSC from Bosse High School after 32 years. He worked at Ellis Park for 51 years during his summers. After retirement, he worked at Gus Doerner Sports, Evansville Otters, and Evansville Bluecats. Don played in several golf leagues, and was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and University of Evansville Aces fan. He was a member of the Sixth Man Club, member of the Hot Stove League, on the University of Evansville Presidents Club Board of Directors, on the Purple Aces Club Board of Directors, part of the Downtown Quarterback Club, and involved for decades with Evansville youth baseball. Don loved to travel with Marilynn, including Florida and the Western United States. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Marilynn (Schmidt) Hess; daughters, Kendra Hess McLeod (Scott Berry) of Evansville, IN and Janna Malicoat (Dean) of Evansville, IN; sons, Gregory "Greg" Hess (Kristi) of Bloomington, IL and Michael "Mike" Hester (Kim) of Ft. Collins, CO; sister, Karen Ruffin (Jim) of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Amber, Lacey, Natalie, Kylie, Blake, Lindi, Luke; and great-grandchildren, Amaiyah, Adleigh, and Ivy.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Sean Michael Malicoat.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue with Father Ted Tempel and Pastor Denny Stevenson officiating. Burial will be in Private.
Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 and from 9:00 a.m. until service time, Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Boone Funeral Home - East Chapel.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 720295
Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0295 or University of Evansville Athletic Department at 1800 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47722.
Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Boone Funeral Home - Evansville.
I have fond memories of Don and Marilynn when we visited them when they came to Arizona and also in Evansville. It was always a good time. May God's peace be with you, Marilynn, and all your family!
Patty Egbert
Friend
January 3, 2024
I have fond memories of Don and Marilynn's visits to Tucson, and we visited them on our trips to Evansville. May God's peace be with you and all your family!
Patty Egbert
Friend
January 3, 2023
I miss you, Don and Marilynn, when you came out west and we were able to visit with you. Lots of pleasant memories! My prayers are with you, Marilynn, and all of your and Don's families.
Patty Egbert
Friend
January 3, 2022
Donald Hess was my great Grandfather he was always there he was the best and now he is gone but I know he is still here with me.
Amaiyah
Grandchild
May 4, 2021
Only learned today about Don's death! Knew he'd had a stroke. Don was a great teammate and friend. We'd stayed in touch over the years and he was alway a source of news about classmates and about Bosse. Hope his family is getting along OK.
Bill Danner
September 4, 2018
To Don's Family and Friends,
I have known Don for a long time through sports, teaching and Ellis Park. Always a kind word, smile and a funny story. I will miss taking his money on the par threes and being around a great ,great guy. God bless.
Randy Lutterman
January 20, 2018
Joan Ost Ritter
January 15, 2018
I was so sorry hearing of Dons passing. I've known Don for about fifty years as a fraternity brother (SAE), fellow student at The University of Evansville,
we taught together at Bosse H.S. and a friend.
Don will certainly be missed by his many friends and the the people of Evansville where he gave
many hours to the community.
Robert Wessel
January 15, 2018
Sincere condolences to the family of Don Hess,
In his vocation, he was a cornerstone of a strong math department at Bosse High School, complementing his avocation of coaching several of the athletics programs there.
I was fortunate to have Mr. Hess for 4 semesters of algebra and 2 semesters of geometry at Bosse.
In geometry, he taught that there were several paths to proving a theorem - a couple of quick, fairly direct ways, and several more lengthy, and more indirect ways. This was my first exposure to the need for always contemplating "Plan B" in the event "Plan A" doesn't work.
Several months ago, I found a YouTube video covering the 1982 IHSAA Basketball Tournament Championship Game with Bosse having played in the Semi-Finals earlier that day. At halftime of the Championship Game, Assistant Coach Hess is included in the medals ceremony around the 38 minute mark of the video (38:45):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIazG33SI1s
I'll always remember Mr. Hess's calm, cool, confident and collected manner in all things.
God's blessings to his family,
Rob Gregory
January 14, 2018
Hess Family
So sorry for your loss. Don's mother, Florence was a mentor to me while working in the Clerks office. Don was a very kind person who really loved his mother. You and Don use to come to the office to talk to Florence. May God continue to give you strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Joyce Fields-Bush
January 14, 2018
Marilyn I was so sorry to hear about Don, I know Jack and he graduated with each other. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
If you ever want to talk give me a call it is a tough thing to go through when we care so much about them.
Sandy Worthington
Sandy Worthington
January 13, 2018
COACH HESS: I enjoyed playing baseball for you more than I enjoyed your Geometry class. Fond memories of '74-'77 Bosse Baseball! You were a good coach and a good man. RIP, sir.
Kyle Traylor
January 13, 2018
Marilyn, sorry I could not get to Boone for you and family. I have a bad cold. Prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless all of you Jeanie Beasley
Jeanie Beasley
January 13, 2018
Dear Marilynn & family, I'm so sorry that I couldn't get through the snow,etc to express my sincere sympathy for your loss of your wonderful partner. He was such a good guy & we should have enjoyed him much longer. God bless you & give you strength.
Roma Leach-Mills
January 13, 2018
My prayers & condolences to the family! I remember Don from his high school days at Bosse playing both baseball & basketball & then later selling me losing horse tickets in the clubhouse at Ellis Park! RIP Don! You were a good man!
Gary Grieger
January 13, 2018
joe roth
January 11, 2018
joe roth
January 11, 2018
Thank you coach for all you did for Bosse High and for always being there for those of us that wore a Bulldog uniform.RIP coach Hess.
Ron Miller 1972-76
Ron Miller
January 11, 2018
My sympathies to your family. I knew Don in the 60s at Bosse and he was a very cheerful and kind man. Sorry to hear that he has suffered recently.
January 11, 2018
He was a great math teacher! My condolences to his family.
Teri Ash
January 11, 2018
My prayers and condolences go to the family of Mr. Hess. He was a very patient and likeable teacher of mine. With sympathy, Kathryn Schaar Born
Kathryn Schaar Born
January 11, 2018
So sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.
Ken and Ginger Mills
January 11, 2018
Our heartfelt condolences to Dons' family . Don was truly a kind and helpful man. We are thankful to have known him . May comfort and peace be with you . Roger and Bambi Barlett
Bambi Barlett
January 11, 2018
Had don as a government teacher and bosee and went to Washington DC. I really like him sorry for your lost Susan hon Class of 1981
Susan Hon
January 11, 2018
We are so sorry to hear of Don's passing, but knew he had been very ill. We extend our deepest sympathy to you, Marilynn, and all your family. .Don was such a great guy and fun to be around, and has left us far too soon. We truly enjoyed the time we spent together. May your good memories sustain you through this most difficult time., and may God's peace be with you and your family.
Marvin and Patty Egbert
January 11, 2018
Mr. Hess was one of my favorite teachers. He was always so friendly and kind. My condolences to his family.
Jayliene Davis Higgins
Jayliene Higgins
January 11, 2018
We were sorry to hear of Don's passing, we will miss seeing him walk the neighborhood and sitting in this lawn chair on the driveway. Rest in peace neighbor. Dan and Mary Mooney
Mary Mooney
January 10, 2018
Don was a great co-working. Very caring man.
Keeping the family in prayer.
Sheri Romero
Friend
January 10, 2018
Rest In Peace Don. A wonderful man who I will miss! Prayers for comfort for all whose lives he touched.
Love, Dirk and Cindy Brinker
Cindy Brinker
Friend
January 9, 2018
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Boone Funeral Home - Evansville5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN 47715
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