[Dialogue] Fred Hess Dies

[Sandra Rafos]

Many thanks to all who have responded with memories of Fred, as it 
helps to build a montage around his life.

Fred and I were at the College of Wooster during the 50s  He was a 
freshman in the dorm where I was a Junior counselor.  I remember him as 
a gangly young man with a big voice and intellect, but somewhat of a 
nerd.  This viewpoint was colored by the different aspects of the 
social strata we inhabited at the College. Wooster only had local 
fraternities and Fred pledged in Eight Section (which we commonly 
referred to as Section 8) since all of the theology and philosophy 
majors joined section 8.  I was in section 5 (commonly referred to as 
the jock strap house) since most of the athletes and lesser intellects 
pledged there.  We didn't have much contact as I was a chem major and 
played sports, but did meet him occasionally on the intramural 
basketball court.  This was an area that was not one of his strengths.

Well, what a surprise to encounter Fred again in Fifth City after we 
became involved with the movement.  As I recall he was a prior at one 
of the Chicago houses.  I remember him leading us on The Journey to the 
East during the Odyssey and later being awed as I was a second teacher 
to him in a PLC.  Our roles seemed to have reversed.  I was the gangly 
freshman and he was the Junior counsellor teaching me.  His ability to 
push his fellow clergy men intellectually while caring for them 
spiritually was an inspiring lesson in pedagogy at that PLC.  This 
young gangly kid I had known at Wooster had become a profound and 
sensitive spirit man.  What a delight!

I will be ever grateful for his role model as well as his contribution 
to society through his devotion to teaching and education.

Journey on, Fred.

Bob Rafos

On 31-Jan-06, at 11:51 AM, Sunny Walker wrote:

> Harry, thanks for the photo link. That's what I was missing. Recalling 
> Fred
> with the twinkle in his eye and that mischievous grin. They almost 
> belied
> the great intellect behind them. And it's also what made that mind so
> accessible/useful to the rest of us. May his humor keep God laughing.
> Sunny
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
> [mailto:Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Harry Wainwright
> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 9:28 AM
> To: 'Colleague Dialogue'
> Cc: 'Order Ecumenical Community'
> Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Fred Hess Dies
>
> Don and Colleagues,
>
> Here is a link to a news article with Fred's photo
>
> http://www.northwestern.edu/observer/issues/2004-01-22/newsfeed.html
>
> Peace,
> Harry
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
> [mailto:Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Don Hinkelman
> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 7:44 PM
> To: Colleague Dialogue
> Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Fred Hess Dies
>
> Fred Hess was my RS-1 teacher.   I was 16 year old high school kid in
> a little Wisconsin small town church basement, listening to him tell
> stories of 5th City.  I took off for the "ghetto" that summer and
> never looked back.  I learned from Fred that you can be ugly, long-
> neck guy and with the charisma of spirit and a refusal to accept
> social injustice, anything can be changed.
>
> P.S.  I would like to know where to get a photo of Fred.  Maybe I'll
> put him next to Gandhi.
>
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