Henry Hess

1922 - 2011

Henry E. "Hank" Hess

July 6, 1922 - April 8, 2011

SALEM - Hank Hess died on April 8, 2011, at the age of 88, at home with his "Hess Ranches" cap on, wearing his custom made blue jeans and his western boots. That's just the way he would have wanted it.

Hank was born on July 6, 1922, to Henry Elmer and Helen Marion (Sinclair) Hess in Eureka, California. He grew up in northern California and southern Oregon, moved to the ranch at Ankeny Hill and graduated from Jefferson High School. Hank grew up on the family's ranches and specialized in breaking and training horses. He enjoyed taking on the toughest "bronc's" anyone would bring him. He started his college education at Oregon State College (OSU) then enlisted in the Army during WWII and served in the 45th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon in Okinawa during the last battle of the war. Hank was the last surviving member of his platoon which had held many reunions at member's homes.

Hank graduated from Oregon State University in 1950, majoring in Animal Science. He was a member of Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity. While at OSU, Hank was Vice President of Alpha Zeta, the agricultural honor society. He won many contests as a member of the Livestock Judging Team and was a leader of the OSU Rodeo Team. His brand "U2" hangs in Withycombe Hall at OSU where he was inducted into the Withycombe Club honorary. He also was selected as a Diamond Pioneer for outstanding contribution to agriculture.

Hank worked for the Department of Agriculture in its Weights and Measures Division testing livestock scales all over the state and frequently commented that he knew the state of Oregon better than any man. He also worked for the Salem Vocational Rehabilitation center, but his real love was ranching in Central and Eastern Oregon. Hank loved fishing, hunting for deer, jack rabbits, ducks and pheasants, roping calves, racing Quarter Horses and telling stories. He was also a proud member of the Marion County Sheriff's Mounted Posse.

Hank married June Baker on December 5, 1959, and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2009 prior to June's death on December 31, 2009. Hank and June enjoyed traveling around Oregon, especially to the Oregon Canyon Ranch in southern Malheur County. Hank enjoyed working in his yard, raising Cascade berries and watching the wildlife along the Alsea River. Hank and June also vacationed in Australia and New Zealand and hosted friends they made there in Oregon.

Hank is survived by three sons: Jack Baker, Pine Keppinger (Erlene), Sage Keppinger, and close family friends Dave (Leah) Nelson, along with eight grandchildren: Dave Baker (Lisa), Brian Keppinger, Kevin Keppinger, Scott Allen (Elizabeth), Brian Allen, Charlene Gellatly, Jake Gellatly, Cody Gellatly, and six great grandchildren: Carolynn Baker, Marissiann Baker, Bryan Falls, Nathaniel Falls, Brandon Allen, Jaedyn Allen, and two nieces: Marlys Vickers and Zata Vickers, and one great-great grandchild: Autumn Bennett. He is preceded in death by his sister, Marion Helen Vickers, and cousin Silas Hess.

A celebration of life will be held at the Waldport Four Square Church, 185 Huckleberry Street, Waldport, OR on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Animal Science Education and Research Pavilion at Oregon State University. Contributions should be made payable to the OSU Foundation, with a note specifying in memory of Hank Hess for the Animal Science Education and Research Pavilion, and mailed to Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, 112 Withycombe Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331.