In Memory Of
Rodney R. Hess
1950
2016
Rodney R. Hess
January 19, 1950 — August 24, 2016
On the morning of August 24, 2016, Rodney R. "Rod" Hess of Topeka passed away peacefully at Midland Care Hospice House after a hard-fought battle with ALS. He was 66.
Rod was born on January 19, 1950 in Concordia, Kansas to Harley and Phyllis (Strait) Hess. He was the oldest of seven children. After graduating from Concordia High School, Rod enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He spent seven years in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. During his enlistment, Rod was stationed in California, Hawaii, Spain, and Okinawa, Japan.
In 1986, Rod graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Computer Science. He spent the next twenty-five years as a software developer and project manager throughout northeast Kansas and western Missouri. Rod was known for his excellent work in software development and his great sense of humor. In his spare time, Rod enjoyed hunting, target shooting, and woodturning.
On April 24, 1976, Rod married Donna (Yuzwak) Hess. She survives. He is also survived by his sons Andrew Hess of Shawnee, KS, Nathan Hess of Boston, MA, David Hess of Mission, KS, his mother Phyllis Koster (Hank), brother Michael Hess (Lori), sisters Sheryl Graham (Bill), Kathy Gammel (Mark), Debbie Reynolds, Kelly Johnston (Kevin), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Rod was preceded in death by his father Harley C. Hess, and his brother Teddy L. Hess.
A memorial mass celebration of Rod's life will be at St. Matthew's Catholic Church at 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, on Thursday, September 8 at 10:00am. Visitation with the family will be September 7 at 6:00pm at St. Matthew's Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ALS association at www.alsa.org
To share a memory of Rod or to leave a special message of condolence, please visit the guestbook below.
Rod was born on January 19, 1950 in Concordia, Kansas to Harley and Phyllis (Strait) Hess. He was the oldest of seven children. After graduating from Concordia High School, Rod enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He spent seven years in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. During his enlistment, Rod was stationed in California, Hawaii, Spain, and Okinawa, Japan.
In 1986, Rod graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Computer Science. He spent the next twenty-five years as a software developer and project manager throughout northeast Kansas and western Missouri. Rod was known for his excellent work in software development and his great sense of humor. In his spare time, Rod enjoyed hunting, target shooting, and woodturning.
On April 24, 1976, Rod married Donna (Yuzwak) Hess. She survives. He is also survived by his sons Andrew Hess of Shawnee, KS, Nathan Hess of Boston, MA, David Hess of Mission, KS, his mother Phyllis Koster (Hank), brother Michael Hess (Lori), sisters Sheryl Graham (Bill), Kathy Gammel (Mark), Debbie Reynolds, Kelly Johnston (Kevin), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Rod was preceded in death by his father Harley C. Hess, and his brother Teddy L. Hess.
A memorial mass celebration of Rod's life will be at St. Matthew's Catholic Church at 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, on Thursday, September 8 at 10:00am. Visitation with the family will be September 7 at 6:00pm at St. Matthew's Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ALS association at www.alsa.org
To share a memory of Rod or to leave a special message of condolence, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rodney R. Hess, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
6:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
St. Matthewâs Catholic Church
Memorial Service
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
St. Matthewâs Catholic Church
Guestbook
Visits: 3
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