Irvin T. Hess

Irvin T. Hess of Williamsburg, Va., died June 7, 2009.

He was born in Lewistown, where both his mother, Jesse, and his father, Stuart, predeceased him by the time he was 11.

He then moved to the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, where he completed his schooling and then joined the Army Air Force.

He was graduated from Slippery Rock University and spent the next 13 years teaching physical education and science and coaching football and wrestling in Pennsylvania high schools.

He completed his work for a master's of science in physical education and coached the University of Massachusetts' wrestling team.

Then he was recruited by the University of New Hampshire to build a wrestling program. During his tenure at New Hampshire, he coached several different sports and served as an assistant to the athletic director.

He was employed as the director of athletics at Kutztown University for 13 years. During this time Kutztown acquired a new field house, enlarged the football stadium, and built new baseball and softball fields. The athletic program moved from Division III to Division II.

He served a term as president of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and was a member of the infractions committee of the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

Irv had a keen sense of humor. He enjoyed being with family and friends, playing golf and cards, and creating watercolor paintings.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Nancy Telfer Hess; two children, Elizabeth, Kutztown, and Doug, Audubon; and three grandchildren: Megan, Meredith and David.

He was predeceased by his brother, Stuart (Bud).

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Williamsburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wildcat Athletic Council-Football Scholarship, University of New Hampshire Foundation, Elliott Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824-1934, or the United Methodist Church Building Fund, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Bucktrout of Williamsburg is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be registered at www.bucktroutfuneralhome.net.