Obituary of Robert M. Hess

After a brief illness, Robert "Bob" McClung Hess, 89, made his transition into Heaven,  stubbornly, on April 30, 2017.

Bob was born in Millsboro, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1927 to the late Thomas and Alma Hess, and was the youngest of thirteen children.  Bob spent his early years in Pennsylvania until WW II, when he left high school to join the Navy like his older brothers.  After the war, Bob made his way to Cleveland where he met his future wife, the late Ruth Hess. They eventually settled in Stow in 1957, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Bob was a Chrysler UAW worker at the former Chrysler Stamping Plant in Twinsburg and retired after over 30 years of service. After retirement, Bob spent the next 30 years on a daily basis, swimming at the Cuyahoga Falls YMCA and then enjoying a good cup of coffee with other retirees.

Bob was an avid sports fan and growing up near Pittsburgh, he was a big fan of all the Pittsburgh professional sports teams, especially the Steelers. He also loved high school sports and started attending Stow Munroe Falls High School football and basketball games in 1957. Bob was a permanent fixture at all the home and away games for the next 60 years, rarely missing a game except for the away games these past few years. Recently, Bob was recognized for his 60 years as a Free Mason for which he was most proud. Bob was also an active member of The First Christian Church of Stow for over 60 years as well.

Some knew Bob as "Smiling Bob."  Others who met him may have been reminded of the comic strip character "Crankshaft" even to the point of mispronouncing some of his words;  but deep down he had a good heart, and volunteered his time and service to the community in many different ways. He was generous to his children and grandchildren and he will be forever missed.

Bob is survived by his four children; sons, Mark (Jane) and Bryan (Erica); daughters Cathy (Jim) Molnar and Colleen Skover. He was also proud of his nine grandchildren and his ten great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at the Summa Health  System in all departments that touched Bob's life.

Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation on Thursday, 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service conducted by the Rev. Jonathan Rumburg will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday at 11 a.m. Entombment will take place following the service at Northlawn Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church of Stow in Bob's name.