Submitted by Dan Rich
Dec. 15, 1926 - Feb. 3, 2007
South Bend Tribune 2/13/2007
SOUTH BEND - Rev. Robert T. Hesse, CSC, was born in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, on December 15, 1926, to the parents of Joseph
J. Hesse Sr. and Louise (Drueke) Hesse. He attended St.
Thomas Parish Grade School and Catholic Central High School in
Grand Rapids, MI, and maintained a close relationship with St.
Thomas Parish and his many Grand Rapids classmates throughout his
life in mission. He attended the University of Michigan,
obtaining a degree in mechanical-industrial engineering, and did
post-graduate work at Notre Dame.
He entered formation for Holy Cross in 1951, took first vows in 1952, and final vows in 1955. He trained at the Holy Cross Foreign Mission Seminary for service in Bengal (now Bangladesh), and with his trunks already headed in that direction, his assignment was shifted to Uganda in 1958, the year of his ordination as priest. Fr. Hesse, who turned 80 on December 15th, was one of four Holy Cross pioneers in Uganda, arriving in November 1958 and serving until his death. His first assignments in Uganda were at Hoima parish in the Bunyoro region, where he was the curate in charge of schools (1958-1961), as secretary to Bishop Vincent McCauley in Fort Portal (1962-1963), and as pastor of Bukwali parish, Fort Portal (1963).
He then gave 23 years to developing the parish of Kitagwenda where he was known for his creative work with catechists and lay leadership, and also for the emphasis he put on education. The people of Kitagwenda still consider him their father in the faith. In 1990 Father Hesse generously responded to his religious community's request that he move to Jinja as the founding pastor of Holy Cross parish - Bugembe. When he asked to retire as pastor, he continued to serve the people of Bugembe as an assistant to three succeeding Holy Cross pastors until his death. Convinced of the importance of education for the development of Uganda's people, he demonstrated a passion for the development of the facilities and quality of Bugembe's schools.
Father Hesse was buried on Monday, February 5th, 2007, in front of the new church which he had helped to build. Fr. Hesse was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Louise Hesse Sr., and is survived by a brother, John, and a niece, Mary, both of whom now live in Florida.
A memorial Mass is planned for Saturday, February 17th, at 11 a.m. in Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, IN. Memorial contributions to support the mission and ministries of the Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, may be made to Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556.