Ronald T Hess

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, to Henry C. Hess and Dorothy R. Hess, he graduated from Oak Park-River Forest High School in 1956 and attended Wright Junior College. He grew up in Elmwood Park, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961 and was stationed in France for over 1.5 years. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1965. It was in the Army that he was first trained in computer programming. Ron worked as a Senior Programming Analyst at GATX for 42 years. Software that he wrote in the 1960’s still operates on some of the company’s main systems. He met and married his wife Phyllis while working at GATX and together they raised two children in Oak Park, Illinois.

Ron was happiest when enjoying good food with and being surrounded by family. In retirement, he expanded his love for model trains and became a vendor at the monthly train show (the Great Midwest Train Show) at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Roger C. Hess. Ron is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis L. Hess; son Erik E. Hess and his wife Jeannette; daughter Suzanne R. Hess-Brittelle and her husband Gregory; and grandchildren Madeline R., Emma L., and Andrew H. Hess.

A visitation will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association.