William Charles Hesse
Obituary
William (Bill) Charles Hesse died December 3 at the age of 77, succumbing to Parkinson’s Disease.
Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 30, 1945. He grew up in Seattle, attending Hazel Valley Elementary School, Puget Sound and Chinook Junior High Schools, Mount Rainier High School, and the University of Washington.
He attended Highline Methodist Church, where he was active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship. In high school, he earned Boy Scouts’ Order of the Arrow and the rank of Eagle Scout.
In college, Bill majored in Journalism, working on the University of Washington Daily and during summers at the Seattle Times. In his senior year, he was Night Editor for the Daily. A student of politics, he spent the summer of 1967 in Washington, D.C., as an assistant to Senator Warren Magnuson. He graduated from the UW in 1967 and entered graduate school in History.
In 1969, he enlisted in the Navy, serving four years in Iceland.
Upon leaving the Navy, he re-enrolled in the University of Washington, where he completed a Master’s Degree in English and also earned his teaching certificate.
In 1981, he was hired by Seattle Hebrew Academy, where he taught English and Social Studies.
In 1988, he was hired by Northwest Yeshiva High School. In addition to teaching, Bill became Assistant Dean for Academics. For over two decades, Bill devoted his time and talent to building an academic program that was repeatedly recognized by the University of Washington as one of the state’s strongest. Bill was recognized by the Washington Federation of Independent Schools as Outstanding Program Leader in its “Best of Washington” awards program.
He retired in 2009.
Bill Hesse was a man of letters; he was an avid reader and published author. He was also a genuinely good person, who throughout a long career in education excelled at instilling in his students his love of learning and his pursuit of virtue. Every year, he wrote a letter to the graduating students at NYHS. One such letter reads as follows:
“Read literature. Read history. Read biography. Travel across America. Travel overseas. Experience music. Choose worthy friends. Seek friendship with those who inspire you to be better than you are. Open yourself to those who will help you to perfect your character. Ultimately, more important than intellect, we should seek as role models people who influence us to a life of greater virtue, people who are honest, unselfish, charitable, humane, caring, and kind.”
Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mildred and Charles Hesse. He is survived by his long-time companion Ellen Nottingham, his sisters Carol (Mike) Coe and Ann (Fabio) Fantozzi, niece Taryn (Ty Edwards) Coe, nephew Kevin (Julia Anderson) Coe, and grand-nieces and nephews Charles, Kyra, Curtis, and Laynie.
A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, at Bonney Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Boulevard, SeaTac, Washington. The service will be streamed live at: https://my.gather.app/remember/william-charles-hesse
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Caroline Kline Galland Staff Fund or a favorite charity.
Live Stream Link:
https://my.gather.app/remember/william-charles-hesse
As a teenage neighbor of Bill’s, I will forever remember him mowing the lawn with that old fashioned, push-pull lawn mower. He was “green” well before the rest of the world caught on.
Rest in Peace forever more Bill.
I was one of four students in Mr. Hesse’s first class at the Seattle Hebrew Academy in 1981. I stayed connected with him throughout his lifetime. It has been a true honor to call him my teacher and friend.
I agree with his obit where it says that he was a genuinely good person, plus he was a good neighbor and I enjoyed the book he wrote “A Cornucopia of Clerihews”. Always enjoyed talking to him and he had a great sense of humor, a pleasure to have known him.
I will never forget Mr. Hesse’s devotion and thoughtfulness towards his students. He was my favorite teacher in high school, and always encouraged me in both my strengths and my weaknesses. Mr. Hesse was the embodiment of a good person and true educator, and I will never forget him.
It was an honor & pleasure to have known Bill & worked with him at Northwest Yeshiva HS. He was truly a “mensch”. Our thoughts & prayers are with your family.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Bill was a kind and loving person, he may be gone from my sight but never gone from my heart.
Petros
A master teacher and true mensch. He had such a profound influence on generations of students, including my kids, who kept in touch with him until the end. He had a unique ability to reach and relate to every student.
Mr. Hesse was a positive influence on all those he touched, including my three kids who attended NYHS. He made that school strong, and will be missed greatly.
Mr. Hesse was consequential, not only as an academic leader, teacher, and mentor but as a role model of honesty and civility for scores of students and their parents. He was a passionate educator and his enthusiasm for scholarship was contagious. He was so proud of the accomplishments of his students, and they appreciated the fact that he took the time to know them and impact their lives. He long will be remembered for his good name and his good heart. He was special and will be missed. On a personal level, he had a huge impact on our children and the life of our family. We mourn his passing and will miss him.
Wednesday, 21 December, 2022
Dear Ellen, Carol, Ann & Family,
Our heartfelt condolences on Bill’s passing. We met Bill when our sons attended the Northwest Yeshiva High School (NYHS). Bill was a tremendously effective educator and he NYHS is very fortunate to have had him in a key role. Bill provided guidance and support to both of our sons (who graduated from NYHS in 2000 and 2004) that served them well throughout their time at NYHS and beyond.
Just walking into Bill’s office was an inspiring experience; he had an amazing collection of books and I’m betting that he had read and digested the contents of every one of them! Bill’s curiosity and knowledge, combined with his enthusiasm for learning, inspired countless NYHS students.
May Bill’s memory always be a source of strength and inspiration to you both and may his soul have an elevation. May his memory be for a blessing and may G-d comfort you in your loss.
We send our best to each of you all at this very difficult time,
David & Ruth Peckarsky
Our families were good friends as I was growing up. I remember so many fun gatherings and games and skits. Bill was always a nice “big brother” influence, taking my questions seriously. He patiently explained how much a million dollars was to me when I was 10. Can’t play the game of hearts without remembering those lovely times.
Mr. Hesse was an extraordinarily kind soul who cared deeply for his students and enabling their academic and personal pursuits. He single-handedly educated a generation of the Seattle Jewish community and made us all a bit smarter and more compassionate. He will be missed and may his memory be a blessing.
Avinoam Baral
NYHS Class of 2010
I remember Mr. Hesse as a man of incredible character. He chose to seek out the good in those around him. And as a young student, this was an exercise in kindness that left an indelible mark on me, as I am sure it did for many others.
May his soul be blessed.
Mr Hesse was a compassionate, kind, and talented educator, to which I and several generations of Seattle Jewish youth are greatly indebted to. I fondly remember the highly personalized attention Mr Hesse gave to his students – from painstakingly adjusting schedules to suite each and every need to his incredibly generous personalized graduation cards and gifts made out and mailed to each of us after our departure from Northwest Yeshiva High School. He example will forever be remembered.
Avishai Baral
NYHS – 2009
Bill and Ann & Carol were long time family friends the family would still get together for lunch in the last few years. thank you
Bill Hesse was my mentor, my friend, and an inspiration to me. For my 17 years at NYHS and then throughout my 30 years as a teacher and a writer, I have thought often about Bill and the caring way he treated those around him. In 1991, he hired me as a teacher at NYHS; he was the first “boss” to have faith in me as a thinker and a writer. His kindness, generosity, and patience have been beacons and touchstones for me regularly in both my career and personal life. For the rest of my life, I know his spirit will continue to reside in me.