Robert Edwin Hess

YORK- Robert Edwin Hess, 99, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Pappus House in Thomasville. He was the husband of Sara Elizabeth (Ebersole) Hess. The couple celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary on August 31st, 2025.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 25 N. Adams St. in York, with a visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM. Full military honors will be provided by York County Veterans Honor Guard at the start of the service. Officiating the service will be pastor David Hoth. Burial will be private in Greenmount Cemetery. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Mr. Hess was born in York on December 9, 1925, the son of the late Henry Adam and Erma Romaine (Berkheimer) Hess. He was a 1943 graduate of West York Senior High School and received his Master’s degree in education from Temple University in Philadelphia. He went on to serve as a teacher at Edgar Falls Smith Middle School in York where he was employed until his retirement in 1984.

Robert was a 76-year member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school and was also a past president of the church council and he served as treasurer. He enjoyed hunting at his son’s camp, Peaceful Acres Camp in Huntingdon County. He also enjoyed fishing and tying trout flies, making wooden toys for his grandchildren, and could be found in his productive vegetable garden at his house. He was a life member of the West York VFW Post #8951, a member of Viking Athletic Association. He served in the United States Navy during World War II where he made three war patrols on the USS Threadfin SS 410 submarine off the coast of Japan and the island of Kyushu.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son; Charles E. Hess, and his wife Cheryl of York; a daughter, Margaret E. Ruppert and her husband Samuel of Renovo; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and three great, great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Cleo L. Eppley.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 25 N Adams St, York, PA 17404.

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