- Date Of Birth: May 9, 1927
- Date Of Death: July 10, 2005
- State: Indiana
Rev. Norbert F. Hess, C.S.C., 78, died on Sunday, July 10, 2005, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend.
He was born to Joseph and Catherine (Weiman) Hess on May 9, 1927 in New Hampton, Iowa. He attended St. Marys Parochial and New Hampton High School. After graduation from high school in 1944, he served in the U.S. Navy Air Force and entered the University of Notre Dame as a regular student following his discharge.
Father Hess made his novitiate at Sacred Heart in South Bend and pronounced first vows August 16, 1951. Upon graduation from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 he began the study of Theology at Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome, Italy. He was ordained in Rome on October 28, 1956.
For 41 of his 49 years in the priesthood Fr. Hess was a well beloved teacher at Notre Dame High School. While at Notre Dame High School he served as an alumni director, student government moderator and art club moderator. Fr. Hess had a love of Byzantine Art, spending much time restoring Icons.
Father Hess taught during 1973-1974 at Bourgade High School, Phoenix, AZ and studied for two years at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), where he was awarded a masters degree in mathematics in 1965. During most of his years at Notre Dame High School, Fr. Hess also assisted at St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Glenview, IL. The parishioners of St. Catherines knew Fr. Hess to be very approachable no matter the time of day.
Father Hess was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Catherine Hess, two sisters and a brother. He is survived by a sister, Clementine Shanahan of Santa Rosa California and some nieces and nephews.
