John Hess

JOHN A. HESS

John A. Hess, of Atlantic Beach, FL, died December 16, 2014 at the age of 88. John was born in Darien, CT on March 19, 1926, growing up in that New England town and learning a love of water and sailing that would influence him for the rest of his life.

In 1944, John enlisted in the Navy and was accepted into the officer's training program. He graduated from Brown University in 1946 with a B.S. in Naval Science. While at Brown, he was in the Yacht Club and competed in intercollegiate races. In 1947, John married Dorothy Jones of Hollis, NH. In 1952, John became a naval aviator and in 1954, a patrol plane commander. In 1956, John earned a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate Engineering School in Monterey, CA, and in 1957, an M.S. of aeronautical engineering at the University of Minnesota. Following this extensive education, John was well prepared to utilize these skills while stationed in various cities around the U.S. In 1964, John retired from the Navy at the rank of Commander. After a few years in private industry, he began his own company in underwater research, doing consulting for the military and helping to develop sonar and underwater acoustic technology. In the late 1970's, John sold his company and pursued his love of sailing by cruising with Dotty up and down the eastern seaboard and in the Bahamas and Caribbean for many wonderful years.

In 1998, John and Dotty moved to the Fleet Landing retirement community in Atlantic Beach, FL. There, John became president of the Resident Council and was active in the sailing club, computer club, and travel club, taking Dotty and him to Hawaii, Bermuda and the Panama Canal. In 2008, John entered the Memory Care unit at Fleet Landing, where until his death, he received excellent loving care from all of the staff.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2015 in the Old Post Chapel of Arlington National Cemetery, with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com[quinn-shalz.com]. Arrangements by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, FL.