C. Max Hess, a long-time member of the Lycoming Law Association, died March 9, 1991.

He was remembered in a memorial service that took place in the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming Coiunty on April 8, 1991.

Read the memorial resolutions:

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In The Court Of Common Pleas Of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania NO: 91-00606

IN RE: APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE TO DRAFT RESOLUTIONS IN THE DEATH OF C. MAX HESS, ESQUIRE

RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE COURT:

The Committee appointed by your Honorable Court to prepare Resolutions concerning the death of C. Max Hess, reports as follows:

C. Max Hess was born on October 6, 1925. in Hughesville, Penna., the son of George M. Hess, Sr. and S. Margaret Swank Hess. He was one of five sons and a daughter.

Following his graduation from Hughesville High School in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army in December 1943, and served in the European theater during World War II being honorably discharged in April 1947 with the rank of platoon sergeant. Thereafter, he pursued his education, first graduating from Lycoming College in 1953, with a bachelor degree in political science, and then from Dickinson School of Law in 1959. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1951, and was a member of the Lycoming County, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations.

After being admitted to practice, Max formed a partnership with his brother, George M. Hess, Jr. and continued an active multi-practice until illness forced him to curtail his legal activity. Thereafter, sons, Steven D. Hess and Thomas D. Hess joined the firm, which still continues.

Max was an outgoing personality, interested in politics and people. He was a lifelong Democrat and twice made the run for Congress , once in 1956, and again in I958.

He had served as President of the Lycoming County Fair since 1975, and had been on its Board of Directors since 1964. In addition, he was a member of the Penna. Association of County Fairs and the State Showman's Association.

He was also involved in many volunteer and social organizations, including among others, the Oaks Club of Williamsport, a Charter member of Muncy Valley Moose Lodge #866, a member of Muncy Lodge #299, F & AM, the Williamsport Consistory Irem Temple Shrine, Wilkes-Barre and the Williamsport Shrine Club. He was also a member of the Rotary Club for thirty-seven years, and served an its President in 1965-1966.

He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and served an church school superintendent.

His law practice covered a wide range of subjects, including tort, criminal, real estate, insurance, and commercial law.

In his working life, his versatility probably was what carried him to eminence and all around competence. His peers in the legal profession often expressed amazement at his ability to succeed in so many pursuits.

C. Max Hess had many business pursuits including real estate development, vehicle sales, and fuel oil sales.

C. Max Hess was interested in banking and had served for many years as a bank director of the Grange National Bank, which later became Commonwealth Bank. He was a staunch promoter of the Hughesville area as an economic center of eastern Lycoming County.

The Bar has very fine recollections of his ready and effective cooperation in matters concerning the functions of the court and of his congenial approach regardless of stress.

In his later career, Max was afflicted with many ailments, which necessitated the amputation of his leg, but he still kept a "finger in the pie."

He died on Saturday morning, March 9, 1991, survived by his wife, Carlene E. Gray Hess; two sons, Steven and Thomas; a daughter, Susan D. Murray, of Hughesville; four brothers, George M. Hess, Jr., of Montoursville, R.D. #1; Dr. W. Robert, of Canton, Ohio; James R. and Barry W., both of Hughesville; a sister, Dr. Doris E. Hess, of New York City; and five grandchildren.

C. Max Hess was a respected member of the Bar of Lycoming County. Although he leaned heavily toward the eastern end of Lycoming County, his friends were many and varied and he left a legacy to be much admired and emulated.

As a result of his death, this Bar has lost an able advocate. His family has lost a loved and loving husband, father. and brother, and Lycoming County has lost, an effective and contributing member.

Your Committee recommends the adoption of the following Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that in the passing of C. Max Hess, there has been a loss to the Bar of Lycoming County, an able and conscientious member, who upheld the highest traditions of the legal profession, to the community, a valued civic leader, and to his family, a kind and loving husband, father and brother, and to his friends and acquaintances, a fine gentleman.

BE IT RESOLVED that this Court and this Bar do hereby extend to his widow, his children, his grandchildren, his brothers, and his sister, a deep and heartfelt expression of sympathy by this Resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread at length upon the Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County, and that copies of the same be sent to his widow, his children, his brothers, and his sister.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

John P. Campana
J. Howard Langdon
J. Frederick Gehr
Charles A. Szybist
Thomas Wood

ORDER OF COURT

AND NOW, this 8th day of April, 1991, in consideration of the Resolutions presented by the Committee appointed to draft Resolutions in the death of C. Max Hess, Esquire, the said Resolutions are adopted and it is hereby ORDERED and DECREED that the Resolutions herewith submitted and attached be adopted as an official expression of the Lycoming County Bar Association and this Court, and that the same be spread upon the records of the Court; and that copies of this Resolution be delivered to the wife and sons of C. Max Hess; and it is further ORDERED and DIRECTED that said Resolution be entered at large upon the record of the Court, and that it be printed in the Lycoming Reporter.

By The Court,

THOMAS C. RAUP, P.J.
CLINTON W. SMITH, J.
KENNETH D. BROWN, J
CHARLES F. GREEVY, S.J.