Charles Hess

HESS, Major Charles R. "Bob", Retired Air Force - Age 86, of Grand Blanc, died Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Genesys Health Park. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. Burial will follow in Crestwood Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3-8 PM Friday. Charles was born July 16, 1921 in Farmland, IN, the son of Lawrence and Lottie (Shaw) Hess and was a 1939 graduate of Madison High School. He was married to Geneva Weaver, who preceded him in death in 1984. He was then married to Violia McAlberns who preceded him in death in 2004. Charles enlisted in the Army Air Corp and became an instructor of aircraft maintenance and repair. He was accepted for Army flight training and became a pilot. As a B-24 Bomber pilot Charles flew 35 bombing missions over Germany, accumulated over 8000 hours and was awarded the Air Medal five times. He later re-enlisted in the Technical Training Command. He was recalled to active duty as a 1st Lt. and was sent to Lybia as a Technical Advisor. Charles had many, many accomplishments and 23 years of service in the military air forces. His civilian career was with General Motors, AC  Spark Plug Division, as an Industrial Engineer. He retired as Superintendent of Industrial Engineering with 18 years of service. In retirement, Charles joined a local flying club and had a hobby of building airplanes, of which he built two. Surviving are: children, Lawrence Hess of Pontiac, Sandra and husband Anson Cassavoy, Dale and wife Sandy Hess all of Lake Fenton; four grandchildren and a great grandson; sister, Helen McKibbem of Portland, IN. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ruth and brother, Keith. Tributes may be shared at the obituary page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com