Robert Henry Hesse was born on Jun. 19, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, and became known as Bob Hesse to all who knew him. He passed quietly while in his home with his family on May 19, 2025, in Elberta, Alabama.
His parents moved the Hesse family to the Foley area when Bob was 6 years old and made Baldwin County their home. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Christine Nelson in 1953.
Robert is survived by his wife Peggy Hesse, his brother Charles Hesse, and his 4 children: Roberta Lynne Hawkins, Gerald Edward Hesse, Sheila Marie Moody, and Sarah Elaine Horn. He is survived by 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
He was a faithful, practicing Catholic and attended St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Catholic Church in Foley, Alabama.
Bob had a twenty-year career in the US Air Force and retired back in Foley where he started another career with the Gulf Telephone Co. He brought his family to all his tours of duty while in the Air Force; Mobile, Alabama; Charleston, South Carolina; Anchorage, Alaska; Fairfield, California; Tainan, Taiwan; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. His favorite was the three plus years in Alaska. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening.
Bob was interred on May 23rd in the Pine Rest Cemetery on a beautiful, sunny day. His life was celebrated at St. Margaret’s with a beautiful ceremony by Rev. Paul Zoghby.
He will be missed by friends and family as he was a generous, gracious, and kind man.
