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John E. Hess, 86 of Dubuque died Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, with the Rev. DeWayne Teig officiating. Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens, where full Military Honors will be accorded. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Friday at St. Peter Lutheran Church and from 10-10:45 a.m., Saturday at the Church. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road is in charge of the arrangements.
John was born on May 13, 1930 the son of Elmer and Cora (Hesselbacher) Hess. He grew up in South Freeport, Illinois where he attended Silver Creek Center School and Freeport High School.
He entered high school in 1944 when WWII was in full swing. His father was a section foreman with the railroad at the time and because of the War, able-bodied section hands were in short supply. Since he was big for his age, Hess was “drafted” to work on the railroad alongside his father at the age of 14. He continued work on the railroad through high school until he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War.
After basic training and Ordinance Technical Intelligence School, he was assigned to hazardous duty in Salzburg, Austria. While there, he attended Troop Information and Education School at the Dachau Concentration Camp in Bavaria. This was his introduction to teaching and it influenced his post-service career.
After completing his Military commitment, he entered Northern Illinois University where he received his B.S. degree. He later returned to NIU to earn his master’s degree in Educational Administration and his Ed.D.
While working as a teacher at East Aurora High School in Aurora, Illinois, John met a new English teacher on staff by the name of Jeanette “Jan” Schmidt; the two fell in love and married.
Two weeks after receiving his doctorate in 1969, he was hired at Loras College as an assistant professor in the Education Department. During his time at Loras, he served in various professional ranks which included Chair of the Loras College Education department, Chair of the Tri- College Education department, Director of the Graduate division, and Director of Community Education.
In 1993, the Iowa Association for Lifelong Learning presented him with the Distinguished Service Award Emeritus for his many contributions to the IALL. He was one of the charter members of the organization, having served two terms on their Board of Directors and three terms as Chairperson of the Legislative Committee.
John had a laugh that would fill the whole room. He was friendly, dedicated, humble and professional. He had the ability to relate to his students, always encouraging them and helping them improve their practice.
John retired from Loras College in 1998 after 29 years of service.
He was a member of the Dubuque Lions Club. He received the Warren Coleman Award from the Iowa Lions Club and the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from the Lions Club International.
He was a member of the Iowa Citizen’s Foster Care Review Board, a member of the IntegrUS (Teachers’) Credit Union and past member and chair of the Dubuque County Historic Preservation Commission.
John was active in the Dubuque County Historical Society’s Local History Board and the Building and Sites Committee. He was past member of the Friends of the Loras Library Board, the Dubuque Area Lifetime Center Board, a past member and chair of the Gold Star Teacher Awards Committee and a past member of the Site Council for Audubon School.
He is survived by his wife, Jan, of Dubuque; and many friends and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Clayton and Lorin Hess.
For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Loras College or St. Peter Lutheran Church.
Special thank you to the staff at Mercy Hospital and Luther Manor.