Name: Visitation for DR. R. THOMAS HESS
Start: 2019-01-07T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-01-07T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Forest Meadows Funeral Home - Gainesville

HESS, DR. R. THOMAS
Dr. R. Thomas Hess, D.D.S of Alachua, Florida passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 4, 2019 at his home, after a long illness. Tom was born August 8, 1942, to Dr. A. Michael and Marjorie (Lane) Hess in West Union, Iowa. He graduated from St. Thomas high school in Rockford, Illinois; completed his Bachelor of Science Cum Laude from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa; and Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. He met his wife of 48 years, Mary Louise Hess in Quincy, Florida where they married in 1970 and moved to Gainesville, Florida to establish his dental practice in 1972. He loved his patients and cared for them as if they were family for 35 years, finally retiring in 2008.
Dr. Tom had a comical soul with a generous spirit and a real zest for life. He was an avid fisherman, a huge Florida Gator football fan and was a member of the Gator Touchdown Club for many years. Tom actively supported St. Patrick's Interparish School with his time and resources where his three daughters attended. Tom was a loving husband, devoted father, caring grandfather, and loyal friend. He touched so many lives with his sweet smile, infectious laugh and his memory will live in the hearts of all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. & Mrs. A. Michael Hess, brothers John David Hess, Timothy Hess and Michael A. Hess. He is survived by his wife Mary Louise, his daughters, Alison (Kevin) Dowell and their son Ashton Hess of High Springs, Florida; Catherine Reiff and her children Fischer, Wyatt and Mary Cate of St. John's, Florida; Joanna (Brian) Wilkinson and their children, Ansley, Amelia and Benjamin of Oldsmar, Florida; a sister Mary 'Cait (George) Reynolds of Neoga, Illinois; brothers Stephen J. Hess of Alachua, Florida and James M. Hess of Rockford, Illinois.
Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Monday, January 7 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Forest Meadows Funeral Home Chapel at 725 NW 23rd Ave in Gainesville, Florida. A service will be held on Tuesday, January 8 at 10:30 am at Holy Faith Catholic Church, Gainesville, Florida. In lieu flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Haven Hospice or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the care of Evans Carter Funeral Home, High Springs, 386-454-2444.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Gainesville Sun from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for R. HESS

Sponsored by Gainesville.com.

14 Entries

Al Mollitor

August 19, 2024

Dr. Hess was my dentist in Gainesville in the early 1980s. To this day (2024) I carry a little of him around in the work he did on me. He was extremely skilled and did a variety of procedures that I would need to see a carload of specialists to have done today. He was always friendly and I always felt comfortable in his chair. I'm sure he is sadly missed.

Pam DiBernardo

May 18, 2019

I was very saddened to hear of Dr. Hess's passing. I would like to extend my condolences, thoughts, hugs and prayers to his family. He was the best dentist I ever had! He had such a cheerful way about him. He set such a positive example with his "bedside manner" as a dentist that while I was in nursing school I remembered wanting to be like him with my patients. Such a loss, what a wonderful person. Blessings

January 8, 2019

Dr Hess was one of a kind as a professional dentist and a friend. My deceased husband and I went to him from his early career in 1972 until his retirement. I am so sorry about his home going. My sympathies to all his family and especially Allison that we came to know also. Billie Mashburn

January 8, 2019

We were patients of Dr Hess from his early practice in 1972 until his retirement. We loved him as a dentist and a friend. I am so sorry to know of his home going. My love to his wife and especially Allison and all the family. Billie Mashburn

Helen Sconyers

January 8, 2019

Dr. Hess was my dentist throughout his entire career and was the best dentist ever. I missed him when he retired. He was so happy go lucky and sang while he worked and was just the best person ever. I also enjoyed his daughter Alison very much at the front desk. I will always miss him. He treated my entire family.
Helen, Jim, Melinda, & Mark Sconyers

Janet Sink

January 8, 2019

Dr. Hess was my dentist from my first dental visit to early adulthood. I was never afraid to visit him. He always had a smile on his face and a joke or, when I was little, a tickle . I will always remember him fondly.

Robert Stephens

January 8, 2019

We went to DR Hess from 1979 until his retirement. He was always happy, and passed that happiness on. He was a great dentist, the best I ever had.

January 7, 2019

So sorry for your loss for such a caring man. he was the only dentist I went to from from 1976 until he retired. Then when I found out he was there on Tuesday for a while I schedule my appointments for those days only. He truly cared for his patients. May God give you comfort. Davina Reid Brown

Vernon McDaniell

January 7, 2019

To Mary Lou and family,

I have just heard of Tom's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. We had many good times with you, Tom and the rest of the gang from St. Pat's. What good memories of such a fine man. May God bless his soul and may God bless your entire family. Vernon

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Cindy HIGGINBOTHAM

Sent Flowers

Travis Ericsson

January 7, 2019

So sorry to learn of the loss of a great guy. Your family will be in my prayers.

Roy & Laverne Davis

January 7, 2019

Dr. Hess was a one in a million dentist! We began with him soon after he opened his practice.As well as getting to know him his precious wife ran office, then alone came the 3 beautiful girls, kept up with them during dental visits. What a loss the dental world is experiencing, RIP

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results