Dale Robert Hesse

Mr. Dale Robert Hesse, beloved husband of Janet Hesse, left his earthly home in Evans and was welcomed into his eternal home in heaven on Saturday, September 24, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Christ Church Presbyterian, 4201 Southern Pines Drive, Evans with Pastor Robbie Hendrick officiating. Burial will follow at Bellevue Memorial Gardens.

Dale was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Mt. Lebanon High School, Thiel College in Greenville, PA where he majored in Chemistry, and Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH where he earned his Masters Degree in Sacred Music. He worked as a Sales Engineer for Hazleton Pumps from 1976-1997, after which the family moved to Evans, GA and Dale was employed at GIW Industries as a project manager from 1998-2009.

Dale’s passion was music ministry and he served many churches as organist/choir director. He began playing the organ in the 6th grade at his home church, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Scott Township, PA. He enjoyed singing and touring internationally and regionally with the Thiel College Choir for 4 years under the direction of Dr. Marlowe Johnson, and then as the director of the Thiel Alumni Choir from 1980-1997. While serving as organist at Zion Lutheran Church in Bridgeville, PA he met his wife Janet. He also served as organist at Grace Lutheran Church in Rochester, PA until he moved to GA. In the Augusta area he served at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thomson First Methodist Church, and Reid Presbyterian Church, was a substitute organist throughout the CSRA, and was the chapel organist at Episcopal Day School since 2009. He also enjoyed teaching piano to many young students in the area.

Anyone who knew Dale, knew that he loved working in the yard, planting flowers, enjoying God’s beauty in nature, traveling to parks and waterfalls, eating seafood, making people laugh and smile, and relaxing with his family.

In addition to Janet, his wife of 37 years, he is survived by his children; Jonathan Hesse of Aiken, Stephanie Hesse (Luke Kellogg) of Evans and Christopher Hesse (Caroline) of Atlanta, his sister Judith Bridges, and his brother Paul Hesse (Cara), his sister in law Linda Rodenbeck (Scott) and brother in law Doug Wunnenberg (Kim), and his mother and father in law, Don and Betty Wunnenberg. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Shelley (Brandon), Brandon (Kelly), Gina (Beau), Matthew, Natalie (Ryan), Andrew, Emily, and Daniel, and his great-nieces Georgia, Lila, and Margot, and great nephews Beau and Brady.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Jean Hesse, his brothers in law Lane Bridges and Dave Wunnenberg, and nephews Joel and Josh Wunnenberg and Ben Bridges. He also is survived by many cousins, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.

The family wishes to thank all of the doctors, nurses, therapists and caregivers at Augusta Oncology, Evans Medical Group, Doctors Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, and Family Care, Inc. The gentle and compassionate care he received during his illness was a blessing from God that made a tremendous impact on our lives.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening, September 30, 2022 from 5:00 until 9:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Augusta Christian Schools at https://www.augustachristian.org or to Episcopal Day School at https://www.edsaugusta.com.

Please sign the guestbook and send condolences at www.plattsfuneralhome.com.

Platts Funeral Home 337 North Belair Road