David Minier Hess

HESS, David Minier
Of Kalamazoo David Minier Hess of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at age 74. He was born July 14, 1938, to Ernest and Bessie Minier Hess in Battle Creek, MI. He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1955 at age 16 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after turning 17. He was proud to have served two years of active duty at Paris Island and Camp Lejeune and the remaining four-year term as a Marine reserve. Dave enjoyed a successful career in the insurance industry, first as Group Sales Manager for Federal Life & Casualty, Battle Creek, MI 1961-1968; then as a partner at the Burnham & Flower insurance Agency 1968-1975; and, more recently, as a risk management consultant whose clients included the City of Kalamazoo 1985 to present. He is known to many in the Kalamazoo region for his work as the morning drive announcer for WQLR-FM Radio 1978-1985; freelance voice work for local, regional, and state companies; and emcee at events such as Octoberfest, Addy Awards, and High on Kalamazoo Air Show. He also worked as the Manager of Facilities Marketing for the Kalamazoo Wings Hockey Club/Wings Stadium. In addition to being passionate about spending time with family, Dave was an avid Civil War and history buff; enjoyed investigated and documenting his genealogy; and most significantly, was a voracious reader who always had a book in hand and was known for his frequent library visits. Dave had a wealth of knowledge accumulated as a lifelong learner, and was always a resource to his friends and colleagues. He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Nancy Hickok Hess; daughter, Karen Hess Hodgkiss, son-in-law Thomas Hodgkiss, and granddaughters Olivia Hodgkiss and Natalie Hodgkiss of Madison, WI. Other surviving family members include son Raymond Turpin, NY; cousins Mary Herb Hedges, SC and John Verna Minier, MI; Brother-in-law Robert Hickok, CA; Sister-in-law Dorothy Harry Sharpe, PA; and nieces Haley Robin Hahn, PA and Leann Kevin Sproull, NC. A memorial service to celebrate David's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 1, 2012, at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 South Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI. Friends may visit with the family immediately following the service. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be directed to the Comstock Township Library, 6130 King Highway, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.