Charles Hess

Charles Edwin Hess Dr. Charles Edwin Hess, 79, died Monday, August 19, 2013, at the Sentara Hospice House in Virginia Beach, Va. He was born in Mouthcard, Ky., on June 22, 1934, the son of Carles and Stella Mae Childress Hess. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary; his son, Philip; brothers, Ralph and David of Grundy, Va.; and sister, Patty Sue Griffith of Lexington, Ky. Survivors include his son, Barry; daughter-in-law, Cecilia; and grandchildren, Alex and Haley of Virginia Beach, Va.; sisters, Glema (Evans) Delaney of Salem, Va., and Patricia (Terry) Wilson of Knoxville, Iowa; brothers, Walter (Joann) and Jimmy (Jean) Hess of Big Rock, Va.; brother-in-law, Leo Griffith of Lexington, Ky.; and long time family friend, Jeanne Busse. Charles received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. He practiced general medicine in Grundy, Va. with his brother, Dr. Ralph Hess for four years. In 1965, he took a position at UVA as an instructor of physiology and continued his education to specialize in hematology. Charles held many faculty positions and became a Professor of Medicine in the Hematology-Oncology Division in 1980. He taught in the medical school from 1965 until his retirement in 2011. He co-authored over 50 medical books and journal articles during his tenure there. His final work entitled "Hess's Hematology: An Image Atlas and Guide to Human Blood Cells and Disorders" will be published soon. Charles's passion was teaching. He was renowned among his colleagues for his ability to read blood and bone marrow slides and produce clinical diagnoses to guide patient treatment. In addition to his work at UVA, Charles served on the board of Grundy National Bank from 1978 till his passing. In 1996, he was elected Chairman of the board. A Celebration of life will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, September 29, 2013, at the UVA Alumni Hall in Charlottesville, Va. A gift fund for the purpose of advancing medical education through lectureships, scholarships, and research funds is being set up in memory of Dr. Hess at the Virginia Medical School Foundation. Contributions can be made to the UVA Medical School Foundation, P.O. Box 800776, Charlottesville, VA 22908. Friends may sign the guestbook at teaguefuneralhome.com