Robert "Rob" Brian Hess

Robert “Rob” Brian Hess, 51, of Geneseo, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. A memorial visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  Memorials may be directed to Arches National Park, 2282 SW Resource Boulevard, Moab, UT 84532.

Robert was born January 5, 1974, the son of David L. Hess and Nancy Channell Hess, in Iowa Falls, IA.  He graduated from Eldora High School, Eldora, IA then went on to attend two years of college at the University of Iowa.  Rob was employed in the Research and Development Department at Springfield Armory, Geneseo.  In his younger years, he enjoyed skateboarding.  His hobbies included fishing, mushroom hunting, attending and watching races, building and shooting guns, hiking – especially exploring western states like Colorado and Utah, and reading books and literature – listing J.R. Tolkien and Ernest Hemingway as two of his favorite authors.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rob’s friends, Dustin and Kelly Vincent, and Nathan Steele for everything they have done throughout their friendships with Rob.

Those left to cherish Rob’s memory include his mother, Nancy Channell of Geneseo; brother, Matthew David Hess and Jessica Reece of Geneseo; and niece, Mikala Hess and Seth Struck of New Liberty, IA.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, David Hess; paternal grandparents, Clarence and Lois Hess; maternal grandparents, Raymond and Katherine Channell; uncle, Bill Channell; and good friend, Dean F. Munton.