Pennsylvania apple marketer Fred Hess, 70, died June 14.
Hess, president of Hess Bros. Fruit Co., Lancaster, Pa., was recognized by The Packer’s Editor Greg Johnson in August last year as the 2017 Apple Man of the Year.
His peers then described him as a good mentor, a natural teacher, a leader in food safety, a visionary in the managed variety trend, and a man with remarkable personal integrity.
Hess’s father and uncle started a vegetable farm business in 1969 and began to sell other products such as apples to local grocery stores and restaurants. He began working for the company as a child as its success grew.
By the mid-1990s Hess and his brother took over the business. In 2012, his brother left the business, and Hess brought in three new partners from the next generation.
Hess was noted for his leadership roles in several apple organizations, including the U.S. Apple Association, Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Board, and the U.S. Apple Export Council. Hess was instrumental in creating a new variety of apples, called Sweet Cheeks.
Hess is survived by his wife Jean Lovett Hess, two sisters, two children, three stepchildren and 10 grandchildren, according to the obituary.
A memorial service was held for Hess on June 20, according to an obituary published by Lancaster Online. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jefferson Pancreatic Bilary and Related Cancer Center mailed to Dr. Charles Yeo, 1015 Walnut St., Curtis Building, Suite 620, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
