Phillip C. Hess

Phillip Clayton Hess, 68, passed away on June 20, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. June 20, 2021, was the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year, and also Phil’s favorite day. Phil was born on January 29, 1953, and raised in Sycamore, IL with two older sisters, Paula Hess and Cheryl Hess; all were children of Clayton and Kathryn Hess. Phil graduated from Sycamore High School and attended Augustana College where he was a Pi Upsilon Gamma (PUG), a long jumper and triple jumper on the Track & Field team, as well as a wide receiver on the Football team. He studied business and graduated in 1975 with a BA. Phil married his wife, Stephanie, in 1993. Phil and Stephanie lived in their home for 25 years where they raised two beautiful kids, Mackenzie Hess (Tom Richards) and Zac Hess. Phil so enjoyed the community of neighbors and activity that his neighborhood provided.

Following his father’s love for the railroad, Phil started working at Rails Company in 1994 where he worked until 2021. Phil served as the President of Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc. (RSSI) three separate times, most recently from 2018-2019. He also served on the Board of Directors of RSSI and was a lifetime member of American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way (AREMA). He worked with passion, resilience, and camaraderie with colleagues, clients, and friends each and every day.

Phil was a devoted husband, father, and beloved friend to many. His friends knew him lovingly as ‘Rudy.’ He spent two weeks of each summer with his family and closest friends in Northern Michigan at Watervale. During those two weeks, Phil spent every minute soaking up the sun, hiking the dunes, water skiing, boating, and hunting for Petoskey stones on the shores of Lake Michigan. Phil was an active golfer and skier, enjoying many warm and cold trips with family and friends across the country. Phil’s favorite places to golf were Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club and Congressional Country Club; his favorite places to ski were Snowbird and Jackson Hole. He was a lover of Chicago sports, holding season tickets to the Blackhawks in the ‘80s, always watching the Big Game on TV, and reading the Chicago Tribune sports section at the kitchen table every morning. Phil brought humor, warmth, and good-heartedness with him wherever he went.

Phil fought late-stage prostate cancer for 12 years. Despite his diagnosis, Phil dedicated himself toward researching treatments and lifestyle changes that would allow him to live every day to the fullest and continue to bring his signature energy and enthusiasm to his relationships with family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service followed by a reception will be held at Makray Memorial Golf Club, 1010 S. Northwest Hwy, Barrington, IL on Friday, June 25 at 10:30am. Phil’s family asks that those in attendance follow the most current CDC guidelines surrounding events and gatherings. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Phil’s name to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to help continue preserving the beauty of Michigan’s dunes, lakeshores, and forests he loved so very much.

Donations can be made at the following link: gtrlc.org/donate/memorial- gift/ or mailed to 3860 N. Long Lake Road, Suite D, Traverse City, MI, 49684.

We are incredibly fortunate to have so many beautiful memories with Phil as a father, husband, and friend. The next time you see a Harley on the road, pass a ‘70s Pontiac Grand Prix, smoke a cigar on the porch, or try some very hot salsa, please smile and think of Phil!