Dick L. Hess

Dick L. Hess, 74, of Preston Street, Bedford, died Friday, September 6, 2013 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born on September 12, 1938, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Thomas L. and Pauline (Wenrick) Hess.  On June 8, 1958, in Saxton, he married Shirley L. Cornelius who survives along with a son: Jeffrey married to the former Lizette Tanon of Bedford, three grandchildren:  Erika, Zachary, and Haden, and one sister; Alice Mae Heffner of Roaring Spring.  He was preceded in death by two brothers:  Fred and Earl and an infant brother Jack.

Dick was a1958 graduate of Saxton Liberty High School and a member of the Bedford United Methodist Church.  He was a Pennsylvania State Representative that served the 78th district and was currently serving as the Majority Chairman of the House Transportation Committee.  He was a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and served on the House Rules Committee and Republican Policy Committee. He also served on the PENNVEST Board of Directors.

During the 2011-12 legislative session, he served as majority chairman of the House Commerce Committee, which has oversight of banking and economic issues throughout Pennsylvania.

Prior to being elected to the General Assembly in 1986, Hess served 15 years as Bedford County’s Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. He began his career in public service in the Tax Assessment Office and in 1965 he became the Chief Clerk to the Bedford County Commissioners, a position he held for seven years.  He was a member of the UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for over 40 years, the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown Advisory Board and the Broad Top Home Nursing Advisory Board. He was a lifetime member of the Saxton Volunteer Fire Company. He also belonged to the Everett and Bedford Area Republican Clubs, Bedford Elks Lodge # 1707, Bedford Moose Lodge # 480, Bedford American Legion Post # 113, Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, Bedford County Farm Bureau, Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Yardley Woodside Fish & Game Association, Safari Club International, the Federation of Sportsmen, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a life member of the National Rifle Association.  He was also an active supporter of high school sports teams in his district.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at the trinity United Church of Christ, 1001 Church Street, Saxton, with Jim Miller officiating, burial at Grandview Cemetery in Saxton.  Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at the Church, in Saxton. Arrangements in Saxton by Akers Funeral Chapel.  Friends will also be received on Monday, September 9, 2013 from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford. In honor of Representative Dick L. Hess, memorial contributions can be made to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, donations:  Child Life Department, 4401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com. and www.akersfuneralchapel.com.