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David Hess Obituary
1933 - 2017
David Willard Hess, age 83, died July 19, 2017 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The son of Willard Cary Hess and Ruth Marling Hess, David was born in Moundsville, WV on September 19, 1933. He is preceded in death by his parents and by his wife, Dorothea (West), children, Laura and Daniel, sister, Mary Kay Rogers, his dear childhood friend, John Stewart, and his ever-loyal pet Boxer, Champ. He is survived by nephew, Darren (Laura) Burnham; nieces, Kathryn Burnham and Mary Lynn (Harry) Hicks; great-nephew, Nathan (Molly) Hicks; great-nieces, Carly Hicks, Kate Burnham, Kerry Burnham, Bryn Burnham; dear friends and esteemed colleagues. As the son of a newspaper man, David was naturally curious about the stories his father covered and his curiosity along with his love of people and the world around him defined his military, professional, and personal life and accomplishments. David served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, and he retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1989, having achieved the rank of Commander. David earned a bachelor's degree in Geology in 1958 and a master's degree in Political Science in 1964 from The Ohio State University. Following his father's footsteps into news reporting, he worked for the Akron Beacon Journal from 1971-1980 as the newspaper's Washington correspondent. David and his family relocated to Springfield, Virginia where he worked for Knight Ridder Newspapers, Washington Bureau from 1981 to 1988, as assistant editor and congressional, political, and White House correspondent. He was the recipient of several awards, including the Worth Bingham prize for investigative journalism, 1978, and the grand prize for consumer journalism from the National Press Club, 1978. He went on to serve as president of the National Press Club in 1985. "Uncle Dave" relocated from Springfield to Columbus in 2013 to be with family and friends. Graveside service and internment 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43213. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Humane Society of the United States, or to its local chapter of Donor choice. Arrangements by RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.rutherfordfuneralhome.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Hess
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
Tom Diemer
July 27, 2017
One of the most respected reporters on Capitol Hill -- and a wonderful man. May the Perpetual Light shine upon Dave Hess.
Tom Diemer
Carl S
July 27, 2017
Thank you for your service to this country, rest in peace.
Kathryn Burnham
July 27, 2017
rest in peace Uncle Dave i will always cherish the wonderful time i spent woth you. You were so much fun!
"Sailor rest your oar"
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
RIP, SIR
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
USN Memorial
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
Korea
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
Worth Bingham Prize 1978 / National Press Club 1978-- also served as President.
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
7 Years
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
9 Years
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
1964 Alumni
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
Geology Class of 1958
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
Retired 1989
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
After Korea - Joined United States Naval Reserve
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
Herb USMC
July 26, 2017
"NEVER" Forgotten
Herb Guyer-Sharfenaker USMC
July 26, 2017
God Bless/RIP. A heartfelt Thank YOU, CMDR.Hess for your service in The United States Naval Reserve. Also for your service in The United States Army in Korea. And Semper Fi. .... SIR.
Mary Ann Roer
July 24, 2017
David was a wonderful reporter and a great human being. He was kind to all and generous with his time. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Congress and always had an interesting story to tell. I'll never forget how he looked after me when I was new to the Knight-Ridder bureau and trying to figure out how Washington worked (or didn't). He was so patient and always willing to help. It was an honor to learn from David Hess and to call him my friend.
Mark Thompson
July 24, 2017
I was proud to work with, and learn from, Dave at the Knight-Ridder bureau in Washington in the late 1980s. In a business filled with vipers, he was a gentle giant of journalism, willing to share his vast knowledge on politics with the greenest rookie reporter. He also was a heck of a nice guy. My condolences to his family. Godspeed, Dave.
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