George Hess

1925 - 2026

George Hess

October 20, 1925 - January 13, 2026

George Jacob Hess was born October 20, 1925, and he died peacefully January 13, 2026. He was raised by his parents, Jacob and Helen Hess, on a modest family farm in Shohola, Pa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17 years old amid World War II, and he officially joined the military on July 1, 1943, after graduating from high school in Milford, PA.

As part of the Navy's V-12 officer training program, his higher education began at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., before the Navy transferred him to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study electrical engineering. He repeatedly made the dean's list and graduated in 1946 at 20 years old with a bachelor's of science in electrical engineering and his Navy commission. George served aboard the USS Denver for a short time before joining the active reserves in 1947.

George went to work at General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., as an electrical design engineer. It was there he met his future wife, Jean, and the two eloped in 1947.

In 1951, George was recalled for two more years of active duty during the Korean War. During that tour, he served as a senior officer on the USS Soley, where the crew faced months of combat and heavy fire. Seven of the eight destroyers in his squadron were damaged by enemy fire, and ultimately the Soley was assigned to bring the damaged USS Barton home to Norfolk, Va. His Navy experience allowed him to see the world, but he walked away considering himself fortunate to be alive.

After his second stint in the Navy, George went back to General Electric, working for the company for about 20 years. In the 1960s, George, Jean and their three children moved to Wisconsin, where he was the Vice President of Systems for the Beloit Corporation in Beloit, Wis., and later held the same title at Ingersoll Milling Machine Company in Rockford, Ill. For years, he was the president of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and he was awarded the "Donald C. Burnham Manufacturing Management Award" in 1993. In 1994, he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineers, something he viewed as one of his biggest accomplishments.

George was an avid gardener who also loved hunting for geese and deer. As a UW-Madison alum, he was an active and spirited fan of all things Badger athletics. He was a basketball season ticket holder for nearly 50 years, and he was honored at a basketball game for his loyal support.

George was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Jean Hess; and his sisters, Gladys Moran of Shohola, Pa., and Lucille Fenner of Milford, Pa.

George is survived by his three children, Adrienne (Gary) Liebergen of Overland Park, Kan.; Gretchen (John) Westhoven of South Kingstown, R.I.; and Brian Hess of Madison, Wis. His extended family includes five grandchildren, Adam (Laura) Liebergen of Overland Park, Kan.; Justin Liebergen of New York City; Stephanie (Ryan) Johnson of Alexandria, Va.; Erica (Matt DeAngelis) of Wakefield, R.I.; Garrett (Audra) Westhoven of Chesterland, Ohio; and eight great-grandchildren.

George's celebration of life will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 12 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in George's honor to your favorite charity or to Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road

Madison, WI 53705

608-238-3434