Richard V. "Dick" Hess

1929 - 2022

BORN

1929

DIED

2022

About

DeVilbiss High School

Richard Hess Obituary

Richard V. "Dick" Hess

Dick Hess, age 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Waterville, OH, on June 29, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 22, 1929, in Toledo, OH, to Valentine and Beatrice (Beck) Hess. His great-grandfather, Valentine Seeger, founded Toledo Brass and Iron Works in 1881 which is known today as Seeger Metals and Plastics. Dick graduated from DeVilbiss High School where he met his future bride, M. Joann Ream. They married on March 18, 1950, in Toledo, OH.

Dick joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1946 and served during the Korean War between February 1947 and March 1952. He received three Purple Hearts for wounds received in battle all in the same day.

His work life was mostly spent as a photoengraver, first as a co-owner in Toledo Engraving, and then retiring from The Blade after 21 years.

After his first wife's death, Dick married his second wife, D. Sue (Gill, Thomas) Hess on December 5, 1987.

Dick was an avid reader of history books, wartime novels, and mysteries. He was an airplane enthusiast and a fan of the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Tigers and Toledo Mud Hens. On June 30, 2018, Dick was honored at the Toledo Mud Hens game by throwing the first pitch and by being recognized by Cousino Restoration as their Hometown Hero.

He spent a substantial portion of his time volunteering to those in need at Hospice of Northwest Ohio and The Claver House. He also enjoyed gathering with high school friends at a local restaurant every week until not long before he died. Dick touched countless lives with his kindness, compassion, and generosity and will be very much missed by his family, friends, and community.

He is survived by his wife, Sue; his children from his first marriage. R. Darryl (Helen) Hess, Martha (Hess) Marshall, Sarah Hess, and R. Matthew (Tish) Hess; and his stepchildren. Andy (Sara) Thomas, Jason (Megan) Thomas, and Judd (Tera) Thomas; plus multiple grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Dick has chosen to donate his body to U.T.M.C. with burial at a later date. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio and The Claver House.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on Jul. 7, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Hess

10 Entries

George

March 17, 2025

A kind, caring gentleman. May God use your memories to comfort you.

Craig Whitaker

July 1, 2023

I´m sure my father and Dick are in heaven, tasting wine, both of their favorite pastimes. He was a totally unique person, and I am glad I got to know him.

Rosalyn Mathias

August 11, 2022

Dear Sarah,
We heard about your dad´s passing and wanted to send our deepest condolences to you and Martha. I hope things are going well for you. If you get in the mood to talk here´s my cell
419-419-8388. We´re in VA .
God Bless
Roz and Marty

Mary Jo Klopping

July 29, 2022

I remember Dick very well as our always smiling & kind courier at the Toledo Inpatient Unit. He was such a nice man.

Claude Montgomery

July 21, 2022

I worked with Dick at The Blade years ago. What a great guy. Prayers and Condolences to his family.

Janet Plath

July 8, 2022

Sue, Condolences to you and your family. I always enjoyed seeing Dick at Hospice.

Marilyn & Larry Lohmann

July 7, 2022

Our sincere sympathy to the Hess Family in the loss of a dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. Our heartfelt condolences to our dear and longtime friend, Sarah Hess, Dick´s daughter. May the Hess Family find God´s peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Tom Harms

July 7, 2022

My wife and I met Dick and Sue in Waterville when we began taking yoga classes with Kim Collins at the Inspired Heart studio. We became fast friends as we did yoga for an hour and a half and then strolled down to Cocina de Carlos and promptly undid any good we´d done with the yoga.
Dick was a unique man in every respect-even his choice of drink-always a golden margarita with no ice and no salt.
When I learned how old he was, I always said he was who I wanted to be when I reached his age. He continued to do yoga with us until a month before his passing, despite discomfort from his war wounds and a growing problem with his breathing.
We looked forward to our evenings at the Cocina as much as we enjoyed the yoga. Dick´s reminiscences of growing up in west Toledo were as interesting as his experiences as a Marine in the Korean War. He loved talking about the books he was reading and really enjoyed discussing movies he´d seen and admired. We could always count on him for recommendations of what to read and what to watch. He enjoyed quizzing me with movie trivia and was visibly thrilled when I could answer correctly.
At the end of each night, I could bank on a handshake and a hug from him, and frequently he would humbly say, "Thank you for being my friend." How could I not be a friend to such an interesting, humorous, generous, good-hearted, gentle man? He was such a good friend to so many people; I am honored that he counted me among them. He has been an inspiration to me since I met him, and he always will be.

craig morgan whitaker

July 6, 2022

So sorry. I will miss him.
Craig

Randall Reihing

July 6, 2022

Dick was a great friend. For many years we enjoyed dinner's together with our wives, Sue and Jennifer, at Byblos on Airport Highway and this past year he and I enjoyed many good times having breakfast at The Buzz in Whitehouse. We also enjoyed touring a couple of car shows and I was impressed by Dick's knowledge on old cars and aircraft when we were at the airport together A few years ago Dick flew on the Collings Foundation B17 when it visited Toledo Express Airport and had a memorable time on that aircraft. Dick and I flew together once, all over NW Ohio, in my 1948 Taylorcraft and he was a great passenger! We also had many good times at the Harr Airport Mini-Chili Flyin in Elmore where Dick used to live. As a veteran myself we shared endless conversations about his time in Korea as a Marine Sergeant in Korea and aviation in general. Dick was a true war hero, wounded three times in the same battle while trying to save his men. A few years ago Dick was on his way to the Perrysburg license bureau to renew his driver's license when a Perrysburg Officer stopped him for speeding. The officer asked him why he was going too fast and Dick replied, I'm going to the license bureau to renew my driver's license". The officer replied, "Speeding on an expired license? Sir you have a problem. I need to see your license." The officer took Dick's license back to his patrol car. He was gone for a long time and Dick began to get worried. Then the officer returned. He handed DIck his license and then..... that officer took a single step back, came to attention, saluted Dick and said "Sir, your are free to go. Drive carefully", turned around and went back to his patrol car. Dick drove on to the license bureau and renewed his license. His Marine Korean war records were on file in Columbus and the officer and his supervisor had so much respect for Dick's combat service they honored him by not citing him. That amazing moment is an example of the man Dick Hess was. A really good man who personified character, integrity, honor, family values, a strong work ethic and one who lived his Christian faith. I am very proud of the friendship we shared and will miss DIck all the days of my life.

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