Walter A. Hessinger

1924 - 2023

Walter A. Hessinger, 99, of Downingtown, passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Simpson Meadows, Downingtown. Walter was a resident of Downingtown since 1960. Born in Coplay, PA, Walter was the son of the late Charles and Theresia (Tamerler) Hessinger. He was the husband of beloved wife Elizabeth Jean (DeTurck) Hessinger, who passed away in May 2014 after 67 years of marriage. Walter proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II (1943-46), achieving the rank of Sergeant. He served as a Flight /Aerial Engineer and crew chief. He received the Air Medal Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star along with other ribbons and medals. Afterwards, Walter studied at Kutztown Teachers College, earning his BA on the GI Bill. He later earned his Masters Degree in Education from Lehigh University, and completed doctoral coursework at Temple University. He served as an Assistant Professor of Education at Kutztown Teachers College. In the Coplay School Walter taught History, Civics, and English and fifth and sixth grades. He was later employed as a Principal at Pickering Valley Elementary School and Brandywine-Wallace Elementary School, and later served as the Director of Personnel, Director of Special Services, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of the Downingtown Area School District. Walter was the President of Del-Chester Elementary Principals Association, served on the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, a volunteer on Downingtown Borough Civil Service Commission, Downingtown Borough Zoning Board, Downingtown Library Board, Downingtown Senior Citizen Board, a member and Past President of Downingtown Rotary, and an Elder at St. Paul's UCC, Exton. Walter was named Downingtown's Citizen of the Year in 1997. In his spare time, Walter enjoyed gardening, handy-work, woodworking, gardening, reading, camping and sailing, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and traveling and cruising all over the world. Walter is survived by his children: Marcy Jean Hessinger, wife of Karl M. Ocepek, of Downingtown, PA, Barry Carl Hessinger, husband of Rose Hessinger, of North Catasaqua, PA, and Jeanne E. Hessinger White, wife of Michael White, of Scotch Plains, NJ; grandchildren: Elizabeth Rose Hessinger, Barry Carl Hessinger II, Anton Hessinger Ocepek, Marc Hessinger Ocepek, Michael Walter White, and Leah Terese White; great-grandchildren: Isabella Rose Hogg, Natalie Kate Hessinger, and another great-grandchild expected in May 2023; brother: Alfred Frank Hessinger. In addition to his wife and parents, Walter was preceded in death by his siblings: Hilda (Hessinger) Panik and Edward John Hessinger. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul's UCC: 101 Worthington Rd., Exton, PA 19341. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Walter's name may be made to The Downingtown Library: 122 Wallace Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335, VA Coatesville Healthcare System: 1400 Blackhorse Hill Rd., Coatesville, PA 19320, or St. Paul's UCC: 101 Worthington Rd., Exton, PA 19341. To extend online condolences, please visit www.jamesterryfuneralhome.com