Hess, The Rev. Richard J.

The Rev. Richard J. Hess, 79, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2009, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with Archbishop Jerome Hanus OSB presiding. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m.

Services also will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Stockton, Ill. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church. Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, Stockton, Ill. Hermann Funeral Home, Stockton, is handling local arrangements in Illinois.

He is survived by one brother, Robert L. Hess of Stockton; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Eugene Hess of Stockton; and a sister, Margaret Baxter of Platteville, Wis.

Richard was born May 1, 1930, to Hubert C. and Mathilda E. (Haas) Hess, in Stockton, Ill. He was educated in the Stockton schools, Loras College in Dubuque, the University of Illinois-Champagne, and Wayne State University-Detroit. He was employed by the Ethyl Corporation when he had a calling to God and entered the seminary. He completed his theological studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and had a master's degree in math and science.

He was ordained May 28, 1960, at Church of the Nativity in Dubuque by Bishop George J. Biskup. His first assignment was as associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Dubuque, 1960-1963. He served as associate pastor of Sacred Heart, Oelwein, 1963-1968; St. Edward's, Waterloo, 1968-1971; Immaculate Conception, Cedar Rapids, 1971-1978. He was pastor of St. Michael's, Garber, and Sacred Heart, Littleport, 1978-1988; and Sacred Heart in St. Anthony and St. Gabriel in Zearing from 1988 until his retirement in 2000.

Richard then resided at the Immaculate Conception rectory where he assisted in residence until 2008, when he moved to Solon to live with his friend, Linda. He continued helping at Immaculate Conception and also assisted at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon.

His love for scouting began as a young man and he went on to serve as a Boy Scout troop leader at many parishes in the 1960s and 1970s. Richard also had a love for theatrical stage performance and music, including organ, choirs, musicals and big band. He served as choir director during his time at Immaculate Conception in the 1970s. At several of his pastoral assignments, he taught math and science in the schools, enjoyed tutoring students on various subjects and served parishes as the maintenance director or assisted in facilities maintenance. He was a sound consultant for the diocese, designing many audio systems for area parishes. Serving God and his church was his greatest passion.

Memorials will be used for masses at various parishes and in serving missions.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Father Richard at