Stephen B. Hester

1943 - 2023

Stephen B. Hester
September 7, 1943 - April 15, 2023
Overland Park, Kansas - Stephen "Steve" B. Hester, 79, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on April 15, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Steve was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 7, 1943. He attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, graduating in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. During his junior year he met his wife Margaret "Dot" Hester when they were set up on a blind date. Steve and Dot were married on December 18, 1965, in Great Neck, New York. They were together for more than 57 memorable years filled with many adventures before his passing.
Steve was a renaissance man. While at Notre Dame he was a member of the boxing team and was an avid painter. He even had the honor of meeting the artist Marc Chagall who viewed and critiqued a showing of Steve's paintings. He had a lifelong appreciation of all types of art which he shared with his children and grandchildren, gifting them meaningful and beautiful pieces throughout his life.
After college he worked in advertising in Chicago before serving in the United States Army. After his military service, Steve worked in a variety of industries and capacities from automotive and manufacturing to consulting and sales.
All who knew Steve understood he was an AVID Notre Dame football fan, attending many games throughout his life, proudly wearing Notre Dame apparel, and religiously watching every televised game for decades as a "colorful armchair quarterback."
Steve's personality was larger than life. All who met him got to experience the "Steve Hester charm" ... a tight handshake or preferably a bear hug, sincere curiosity about your life, or a hearty laugh over a round of drinks. Even in a crowded room, Steve made you feel like you were the most important person there. He was the biggest cheerleader in each of his children's and grandchildren's lives, with unwavering and passionate support for their every endeavor and cheering the loudest for them every chance he got.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents (Margaret, 1946; Curtis, 2002; Josephine, 2007) and is survived by his wife Margaret "Dot," daughters Laura (Greg), Juli (Gaspare) and son Patrick; siblings Mary Jo (Gerry), Peggy, Susan (Bill), John (Glenda); sister-in-law Eileen (Vincent), brother-in law James (Mary), his beloved grandchildren who meant the world to him, Courtney (Zach), Connor, Megan, and Halle, and his "grand dog" Jax who loved being Steve's sidekick, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 pm on Monday, April 24 at Church of the Ascension at 9510 W 127th St, Overland Park, KS 66213. The family will greet friends prior to Mass at 1:00 pm. Per Steve's wishes, he will be laid to rest in a private ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Good Samaritan Society Olathe, KS location ( https://support.good-sam.com/), who provided great care to Steve over the last year or the Parkinson's Association Heartland Chapter (https://www.parkinson.org/heartland/how-you-can-help#how-you-can-help) .
Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send a volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons and daughters
March on to victory.
GO IRISH!