David A. Hess, a former Missouri legislator and real estate developer, died Monday (Jan. 31, 1994) of pneumonia and complications at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. He was 85 and lived in Ladue.
He was in the Missouri House from 1933-42, when he resigned to enlist in the Army. He served mostly at Fort Benning, Ga., and rose to captain and assistant provost marshal.
He re-entered politics in 1950, when he was elected to the state Senate. He lost the Democratic primary for the seat in 1954.
In the House he handled bills sponsored by the administration of St. Louis Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, including slum clearance and creation of the city Housing Authority. In 1935 he pushed through legislation for horse and dog racing, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Guy B. Park.
In the Senate, he helped pass the city earnings tax, authorization of the city's first voting machines and a bill empowering the city to develop and operate off-street parking facilities.
His political activity extended beyond Jefferson City. In 1944, while in the Army, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He helped in the successful drive to nominate Harry S Truman for vice president, according to his son, John M. Hess of Owensboro, Ky.
After leaving politics, he developed the Hess Construction Co., which built homes, apartments, warehouses and office buildings. His developments included Grant Haven subdivision in Affton and Barcelona subdivision in west St. Louis County. He retired in 1980.
For 30 years, he owned and raced thoroughbred horses.
In addition to his son, John, among survivors are his his wife, Catherine L. Hess; another son, David R. Hess of Ladue; two daughters, Suzann Ruff of Dallas and Cynthia Hitschler of Pacific; and 18 grandchildren.
St. Louis Post Dispatch, February 2, 1994.
He was in the Missouri House from 1933-42, when he resigned to enlist in the Army. He served mostly at Fort Benning, Ga., and rose to captain and assistant provost marshal.
He re-entered politics in 1950, when he was elected to the state Senate. He lost the Democratic primary for the seat in 1954.
In the House he handled bills sponsored by the administration of St. Louis Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, including slum clearance and creation of the city Housing Authority. In 1935 he pushed through legislation for horse and dog racing, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Guy B. Park.
In the Senate, he helped pass the city earnings tax, authorization of the city's first voting machines and a bill empowering the city to develop and operate off-street parking facilities.
His political activity extended beyond Jefferson City. In 1944, while in the Army, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He helped in the successful drive to nominate Harry S Truman for vice president, according to his son, John M. Hess of Owensboro, Ky.
After leaving politics, he developed the Hess Construction Co., which built homes, apartments, warehouses and office buildings. His developments included Grant Haven subdivision in Affton and Barcelona subdivision in west St. Louis County. He retired in 1980.
For 30 years, he owned and raced thoroughbred horses.
In addition to his son, John, among survivors are his his wife, Catherine L. Hess; another son, David R. Hess of Ladue; two daughters, Suzann Ruff of Dallas and Cynthia Hitschler of Pacific; and 18 grandchildren.
St. Louis Post Dispatch, February 2, 1994.
David A. Hess, a former Missouri legislator and real estate developer, died Monday (Jan. 31, 1994) of pneumonia and complications at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. He was 85 and lived in Ladue.
He was in the Missouri House from 1933-42, when he resigned to enlist in the Army. He served mostly at Fort Benning, Ga., and rose to captain and assistant provost marshal.
He re-entered politics in 1950, when he was elected to the state Senate. He lost the Democratic primary for the seat in 1954.
In the House he handled bills sponsored by the administration of St. Louis Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, including slum clearance and creation of the city Housing Authority. In 1935 he pushed through legislation for horse and dog racing, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Guy B. Park.
In the Senate, he helped pass the city earnings tax, authorization of the city's first voting machines and a bill empowering the city to develop and operate off-street parking facilities.
His political activity extended beyond Jefferson City. In 1944, while in the Army, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He helped in the successful drive to nominate Harry S Truman for vice president, according to his son, John M. Hess of Owensboro, Ky.
After leaving politics, he developed the Hess Construction Co., which built homes, apartments, warehouses and office buildings. His developments included Grant Haven subdivision in Affton and Barcelona subdivision in west St. Louis County. He retired in 1980.
For 30 years, he owned and raced thoroughbred horses.
In addition to his son, John, among survivors are his his wife, Catherine L. Hess; another son, David R. Hess of Ladue; two daughters, Suzann Ruff of Dallas and Cynthia Hitschler of Pacific; and 18 grandchildren.
St. Louis Post Dispatch, February 2, 1994.
He was in the Missouri House from 1933-42, when he resigned to enlist in the Army. He served mostly at Fort Benning, Ga., and rose to captain and assistant provost marshal.
He re-entered politics in 1950, when he was elected to the state Senate. He lost the Democratic primary for the seat in 1954.
In the House he handled bills sponsored by the administration of St. Louis Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, including slum clearance and creation of the city Housing Authority. In 1935 he pushed through legislation for horse and dog racing, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Guy B. Park.
In the Senate, he helped pass the city earnings tax, authorization of the city's first voting machines and a bill empowering the city to develop and operate off-street parking facilities.
His political activity extended beyond Jefferson City. In 1944, while in the Army, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He helped in the successful drive to nominate Harry S Truman for vice president, according to his son, John M. Hess of Owensboro, Ky.
After leaving politics, he developed the Hess Construction Co., which built homes, apartments, warehouses and office buildings. His developments included Grant Haven subdivision in Affton and Barcelona subdivision in west St. Louis County. He retired in 1980.
For 30 years, he owned and raced thoroughbred horses.
In addition to his son, John, among survivors are his his wife, Catherine L. Hess; another son, David R. Hess of Ladue; two daughters, Suzann Ruff of Dallas and Cynthia Hitschler of Pacific; and 18 grandchildren.
St. Louis Post Dispatch, February 2, 1994.
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