Michael David Hess

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Michael D. Hess passed away Sunday, September 20, 2026. Michael was born in Chester, Pennsylvania to Francis J. Hess, Sr. and Dorothy Helen Gibbs on April 19, 1952. He was 74-years old.

Michael attended Pemberton Township High School and graduated with the class of 1970. As a young man, Michael worked in maintenance at Fort Dix, New Jersey to help pay his tuition at Burlington County Community College where he received his associates degree in environmental science. He moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1972 to attend Trinity University, where he majored in history and was a member of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. He graduated from Trinity in 1974 with a bachelor of arts degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Over the next 20 years, Michael served at locations all across the globe. His first assignment was an armor and infantry weapons platoon leader with the 9th Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea. After completing the Chemical Officer Advanced Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, Michael went on to hold several prominent positions as a chemical officer including: Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Richardson, Alaska; Masstricht, Netherlands; and Fort Hood, Texas. At the height of his military career, Michael had charge of more than 400 chemical warfare specialists who were responsible for defending 15,000 soldiers with the 2nd Armored Division from the threat of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attack.

During his time in the Army, Michael met his former wife Linda V. McClain. The two married and raised two children; a daughter, Lindsey Michael Shoob (47); and a son, Michael Barrett Hess (43).

After retiring from the Army, Michael began working as an environmental strategic planner and manager with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, where his leadership skills and military training were highly valued. In 2003, he accepted the challenge of helping to launch a new state agency, the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. As Executive Director, he devoted countless hours to getting the agency up and running and to ensuring that more than 6,700 applications for license to practice geoscience in the state were timely and accurately processed.

Even though he had already earned two master’s degrees in history and management, Michael obtained a third master’s degree in education administration from Texas State University, where he graduated alongside his daughter, Lindsey.

In 2006, Michael again answered his nation’s call when he returned to active duty with the Army. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and worked extensively with Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In one tour to Iraq, Michael found himself alongside his son, Mike, who was also forward deployed in support of Joint Special Operations Command as an airborne infantry rifle platoon leader. After two different periods of military service, Michael’s awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, and the parachutist badge. Moreover, for his service with the Texas Military Forces, he has received two State of Texas Lone Star Distinguished Service Medals.

After returning from Iraq, Michael met his future life partner, Betsy L. Sleath, a distinguished professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. They first met at the North Carolina Museum of Art, where they were quickly reprimanded for talking too loud; a fault that followed them both until Michael’s passing. After leaving the Army for the second time, Michael and Betsy travelled extensively together, visiting countries all over the world including Ireland, Michael’s favorite, England, India, Australia, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Moldova, Luxemburg, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Scotland, Whales, Austria, and others. Most people say they will travel the world, but seldom do. Michael and Betsy did, and anyone who knew both would agree that there has never been a couple better suited to embark on such a journey together. Michael also took on the role of a father-figure to Betsy’s daughter, Maggie, who made Michael particularly proud when she commissioned as an officer and pilot in the United States Air Force.

In between his world travels, for which he always remembered to send an overzealous amount of postcards, Michael valued nothing more than time with his family. He made it a point to be at every family event, whether a grandchild’s birthday, or a nephew’s wedding. He made frequent trips to Atlanta, Georgia and Round Rock, Texas to visit his seven grandchildren: Jordan Shoob (23), Julianna Shoob (14), Barrett Hess (13), Jeorgina Shoob (12), Finley Hess (11), Josephine Shoob (8), and Holland Hess (7). He was a wonderful grandfather who would take his grandchildren on mini-adventures, bake cakes upon request (the secret ingredient is an extra stick of butter), make frequent donut deliveries, and let them buy “whatever they could carry.” Through his grandchildren, Michael’s legacy will live on for generations to come.

Michael also enjoyed spending time with his two children. Recently, the trio visited the OX Ranch in Uvalde, Texas, where Michael was able to relive the days of being an armor officer by driving an M4 Sherman tank and firing its main gun. When Michael wasn’t traveling or visiting family, he enjoyed reading history and researching the genealogy of the Hess family.

Michael was laid to rest at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on October 2, 2026, where he was buried with full military honors. He is survived by his life partner and her daughter, his son, daughter, seven grandchildren, his brothers Kenneth, Thomas, and David, his sister Mary, numerous nieces and nephews, his daughter-in-law Amanda Hess, and his son-in-law Merek Shoob; all of which he loved unconditionally.

His overwhelming kindness, joy, and adventurous heart left an irreplaceable presence in all those he knew. He will be sorely missed.