Richard "Dick" William Hess

An avid outdoorsman, Dick earned his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine. After service in the Army, he moved to Colorado where he met the love of his life, Mavis Noland. They were married on December 25, 1956, in Craig, Colorado. Together, they grew a family in Grand Junction and then Arvada, Colorado.

Dick worked for the Division of Wildlife for his entire career. He was passionate about Wildlife Conservation and Education. He hosted a radio show in Grand Junction and later, a television show on PBS in Denver. In addition to his work for the Division of Wildlife, he retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Colorado Army National Guard.

After Dick retired, he and Mavis moved to Collbran, Colorado to be closer to the great outdoors that he loved. Not one to relax in retirement, Dick went to work as a Greeter at Cabelas in Grand Junction. He took pride in being part of the crew that planned and set the store for its grand opening.

Dick was preceded in death by his son, Richard "Rick" Hess.

He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Mavis, brother, Robert Hess, daughter, Mary Hammack and son, William "Bill" Hess. He also leaves two grandsons, Richard and Douglas Hammack. And, according to Dick, the smartest great-grandson in the world, Ulryk Hammack.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 6th at the Collbran Congregational Church at 2pm with light refreshments after. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Operation Game Thief/Colorado Parks and Wildlife or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Hess family.