Walter R. Hess Sr., 74, of Elizaville

ELIZAVILLE >> Walter R. Hess, Sr., 74, of Elizaville, N.Y., passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at the Arden Courts of Susquehanna in Harrisburg, Pa., after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a terrible, selfish disease. It robs its victims not only of their memories but their personalities, bodies and lives. We refuse to allow this disease to taint the memories we have of Walter: our father, our grandfather, our friend.

Walter was born on Sept. 30, 1942, in Grettstadt, Germany. Walter left war-torn Germany to find the American dream as a brave young man. He became a citizen, built and operated his business, H&W Orthopedic Arch Supports Inc., supported a family and made an abundance of friends. We will all remember Walter’s nurturing and caring for his pigeons and all of nature’s birds. We’ll remember his frank response, “What’s the problem?” when ending an answer to what he deemed a silly question. We’ll remember his hearty laugh and large capacity to have fun at any gathering, especially one of the Hess’s own parties. And, of course, we will remember the all so familiar response when asked to indulge in another drink, bite of food or sweet: “I’d rather not . ... Refuse you.”

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes on Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to gather with the family and recall old memories. Memorial services will take place at 11:30 a.m. and interment will follow in Elizaville Methodist Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Walter’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or The National Audubon Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y.

For directions or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.BurnettWhite.com.