Roger F. Hess

SIOUX CITY | Roger F. Hess, 65, of Sioux City lost his battle with cancer on Monday, May 9, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family, including Mulan.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Revs. Michael Erpelding and Gerald Feierfeil concelebrating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday with the family present 6-8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be offered online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Roger was born November 7, 1950 in Lemmon, SD the son of John G. and Katherine (Kahl) Hess. He graduated from Lemmon (SD) High School in 1969.  Roger continued his studies at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 and his Master of Science degree in 1976, both in Special Education. In 1987 he received his Specialist Degree in Special Education Administration also from USD.

While living in Lemmon, SD he worked for Wheeler Manufacturing. In 1976 he taught special education in Meriden, Iowa before joining the Area Education Agency (AEA) Special Education support team.  Roger began his career as a Special Education Consultant eventually becoming the Director of Special Education for NWAEA until his retirement in 2011. 

On June 2, 1973 he married Bernadette “Bernie” Meacham at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sioux City. Together they raised two children, Christopher and Erica and continue to raise the light of Roger’s life, granddaughter Ciara. 

His board memberships and volunteer partnerships included: CASA volunteer; Claire Guest House board member; SHIP (Siouxland Human Investment Partnership) board member; Siouxland IFAPA board member (Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association); Saint Joseph Parish finance board; ICASE (Iowa Council of Administrator of Special Educators); AEA (Area Education Agency) Directors Association; and Trosper Hoyt Alternative School Program and various other service organizations. 

Roger’s interests and hobbies were cooking, wine collecting and tasting, attending, volunteering and chaperoning with the North High School Band, lay minister for Saint Joseph Parish and walking Mulan daily.

Survivors include his wife, Bernie; children, Christopher (Lisa) Hess and grandson Jordan of Des Moines, IA and Erica Hess (Joel Patrick)  and granddaughter Ciara of Sioux City;  siblings, Jake Hess of Cheyenne, WY, Cindy Hess (Dennis Bruneau) of Condon, OR, Keith Hess of Thornton, SD, Bonita (Leo) Boespflug of Ranchester, WY, Mari Hess (David Neat) of Roseburg, OR, Tim (Sandy) Hess of Lemmon, SD, Teresa (Donny) Warfield of Garden City, KS, Greg (Linnea) Hess of Port Orchard, WA and Harlan (Kathy) Hess of Lemmon, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and very special Aunt and Uncle.    

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Claire Guest House or the North High School Concert Marimba Fund.