Joseph & Claudine Hess Scholarship Fund

Joseph and Claudine Hess farmed the 136-acre Hessdale Farm in Strasburg Township; at the time of Joseph’s passing in 1992, it had been in the Hess family for 125 years.

A graduate of F&M Academy in 1930 and from F&M College in 1934, Joseph Hess taught math in the Pequea Valley School District for nearly 30 years.  Joseph was chosen as a Leader of American Secondary Education in 1972, retired from teaching in 1977, and became an agent with Lititz Mutual Insurance Company; all the while maintaining his family’s Hessdale Farm, which was preserved through an easement with the Lancaster Farmland Trust in 1991.

Joseph Hess also served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II. 

An avid bridge player, Joseph Hess was a life master in the American Contract Bridge League, President of the Red Rose Bridge Club, and a member of multiple bridge clubs in Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg. He was also a humanitarian, serving as a member of The National Education Association; The Pennsylvania State Education Association; The Quarryville American Legion Post 603, The Lancaster Elks Lodge; The Pirates Club of Lancaster, and Mount Hope United Methodist Church, where he was a former treasurer.

Claudine was a 1933 graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, where she served a further 24 years as a clinical instructor at the school.  As the R.N. Assistant Director, Claudine often presented at annual meetings of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary.  Claudine would eventually become President of St. Joseph’s Hospital. Claudine served in many roles while with the Lancaster County Nurses Association as well, including second vice president, president, and chairman. Outside of her career, Claudine was a member of the Lancaster Bridge Association, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Quarryville, and the church’s Women’s Association.

Fun note – Claudine and Joseph attended the Junior-Senior dinner dance of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing on Saturday, May 20, 1950, at the General Sutter Hotel, Lititz. 

The Community Foundation is honored to help continue their legacy of service and leadership through their endowed scholarship.