From Dr. Renee von Wörde
I am completely shell shocked – I just opened my mail box - I can’t read my private one every day) and saw this terrible news of Captain Hess beginning his eternal patrol. I simply can not believe this. I am simply devastated, first for you because I know how dear a friend he was to you. I am so so sorry Harry. Secondly, I was putting much hope in his law suit defending the Veterans. Harry, thank God for you. You have been faithful in reporting the truth for so long and have likely helped thousands of people come to see things in another more fair light. I can not express my gratitude to you, nor my sympathy on the loss of your good and dear friend.  I will try calling you between everything that is going on here. Again let me offer my deepest sympathy to you, your family,  Captain Hess’s family and to all our Sharkhunters family as well. These are two extremely sad losses.

From Ninon Collet
I am sorry for the loss of your friend and supporter, as well as for the loss of one of the last remaining members of the U-Waffe who stands up for the fighting men who did their duty.

        
At our 2003 "Northern Patrol" Hans-Georg and my son Sean Patrick Cooper became fast friends.  Sean always sent pictures and sculptures of pelicans, Hans-Georg's favorite bird, to him and Hess always sent back something nice for Sean.  My son was devastated when he learned of his friend's death.

From Martin Fernandez, U.S. Army currently serving overseas
My salute and respects to Hess.
 

From Chris Gordon
I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of Hans-Georg Hess. I never had the honour of meeting him, but from all accounts he was a really Class A gent.  I send my prayers to all his family and friends at this sad time.

          
At our 2003 "Northern Patrol" John 'the Barbarian' Gestrich, Barry Monroe and Hess

From Lowell Smith

VERY SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS ABOUT CAPT HESS 'S DEATH...ON A PATROL TO HAMBURG WITH YOUR GROUP I HAD THE PLEASURE MEETING HIM AND HAVING TWO LUNCHES ; MET HIS SON AND DAUGHTER.  FINE PEOPLE.  I WAS EVEN MORE PROUD TO BE A GERMAN AFTER MEETING THEM. MY BEST TO YOU AND HIS FAMILY...I'M SO SORRY.

     
At our 2003 "Northern Patrol", Hess and his wife receive a small mat from Phil Braun with the conning tower emblem of Hess's boat, U-995

From Steve Toman
My condolences to you also on the passing of Hans and David. You have shed much light on both of them over the years, and that should make them both very proud.

Billy Scott telephoned all the way from Ireland to express his condolences.

       
At our 2005 "Northern Patrol", Hess is in the center of the photo, his daughter Julianne over his right shoulder and his son Tilman over his left shoulder with Loren Charles at the right of photo.

From Sgt. Major Ken Rouse U. S. Army (Ret)

My God, I'm absolutely speechless!  I've been out of town since Wednesday afternoon and so only just got this.  Just about 2 weeks ago Hans-Georg left a message on my answering machine to wish me a Happy Birthday (he never missed one since we've been friends...never!  And neither did Gerd Thäter.).  He also told me how he was looking forward to our getting together at the meeting of U-466/3506 at the end of August.  I had planned to call him this week to thank him and just to chat a bit.  He will be sorely missed.

     I'm like you...right now I can't even think clearly enough to go on with this message.
     Coincidentally enough I was listening to the soundtrack of 'Evita' on my car CD.  It starts with the public announcement on the day that she died that she had "entered immortality".  There is no more fitting way to express it for Hans-Georg, Gerd, Herr Kretschmer and innumerable others.  In shared sorrow and grief,

     
During our 2005 "Northern Patrol" Tilman Hess, Hans-Georg Hess and myself standing near the ancestral home of General Scharnhorst.

From retired Intelligence Officer Zel Eaton

Just a note to say how sorry I am to hear of the passing of your good personal friends. The loss is also to the membership and all those who are interested in accurate first hand knowledge of the war.

      
During 2005 "Northern Patrol" Walter Tegtmeier (U-Boat veteran), 'Fast' Eddie Hogan (USN destroyer Skipper) and Hans-Georg Hess

From U. S. Navy submarine veteran "Mike" Michaelson
I, too, am saddened by the passing of Hess.

From Sid Aust

So sorry to hear about the loss of your best friend  Hans-Georg Hess.  I felt like that I knew him personally in reading all the years of your publication.  I meet many veterals on the Southern Patrol, all so good and proud of service to Germany, but Hess was someone that  was specical to you.  I know you will miss him...I wish I could have meet him and called him my friend also.

Rick Savel had met Hans-Georg and he telephoned from all the way across the USA with his condolences.

From Jim Hummel
Those of us involved in U-Boot history mourn the passing of a fine gentlemen and warrior - Dr. Hess.  Our sympathy and condolences go to

his family.  Our prayers are with him on his journey in the next world.

From John Zaro

My deepest sympathy to the Hess family, Sharkhunters, and you.  I am just in shock of his passing. What can one say in words that you and I already know about Herr Hess.  I will write back soon. As you said this very tragic and terrible news.

From Charlie Wendt
Extremely sad. A  great Man. And nice to listen to.  Fair seas and clear skies.

From Mary Myers

I'm so very sorry that your dear friend has passed and has begun his eternal patrol. I also want to thank you for enabling the patrols in

which we are able to meet these fine veterans.  I was one of the lucky ones that was on the patrols where we were able to meet this

very fine man.  My heart aches for his family, you, and history.

From Mike Torreson
I was saddened to learn of Hans-Georg Hess' passing.  I was looking forward to him takeing on the "German Dan Rather/Ambrose"!  The tribute page brings back warm memories of the Sharkhunters Convention in Key Largo about a dozen years ago.  I was the one who took the picture from the bow of one of Capt. Slates boats of several Sharkhunter veterans, Pete Petersen, you ,standing by a smileing Hans-Georg Hess, Red Nordenberg, Captain Beach.   Later , while in Key West Dr. Hess took a picture of me standing by the marker indicating it was only 90 miles to Havana, Cuba, and I snapped one of him, with a bright smile ,of course!   He will be missed !

Again from 'Chaz' Pityk

Hey man I just wanted to tell you how honored I am to have my comments included in the H.G.H. memorial page, and how much it means to me personally to know you and to have been able to do a couple patrols......without you my friend, like I told you in the parking lot of the Wehrmen -Blume in Wunstdorf in 95, NONE of this kinda stuff could have happened....NONE of it without you, your personality and contacts that you have made.....you should feel great that H.G.H. loved you for the work you have done, he and you are "class acts", a term you once used to describe me.....i guess birds of a feather......okay dude, be cool!!!!!!!!

Mike Maffia telephoned with his condolences.

"Wolf" Wolfersperger is a currently serving Senior Master Sergeant in the US Air Force, and he emailed

I am sorry to hear of Hess and his passing.  I wish I could have met him in person.  His spirit must have been strong and his life most interesting.  As time goes by I feel a bit diminished inside myself as I see friends or someone in the same line of work such as myself end life.  I just remind myself to retain some faith and go on, and that is what I do and that is what my friends want me to do also.  That is what

you must do too.

From Bill Donegan

Thank you for the updates.  I read all the e-mails just yesterday and was blown away by it all.  My heart is saddened and my prayers go out to his family, Behut Sie Gott.

From Roland Ihle

I am truly very sorry that your best friend Hans Georg Hess had passed away.  It certanly is sad news for all of us.  I send my prayers to his family and friends.  He will be missed.

U. S. Navy veteran John Hanniford telephoned with his condolences.

More from USMC combat veteran Bill Napier
         So sad, im still in shock.

And more from Sergeant Major Ken Rouse
I still can't believe Hans-Georg is gone; especially after having heard from him only 2 weeks ago today.  Thank God I never got around to erasing my messages and plan to keep his voice on my answering machine for some time to come.  It was only a few months back that I attended the services in Nürnberg for Walter Kasparek, who, as you know, was another of Gerd Thäter's I-WOs and another very fine man.  That was another great shock as shortly before I had seen him at the annual Reunion of U-466/3506 in Kehlheim.  In my humble opinion the world is a lesser place without men like these.  Hopefully we will all be, each in his or her own time, reunited in a better place and once more sharing comradship and laughter.

From Steve Shock

I can not believe it.  I can not tell you how sorry I am about the sudden loss of one of your best friends, and one of Sharkhunter's best friends.  This is a blow that will be felt not only for as long as Sharkhunters exists but for as long as we stay on the right side of the grass ourselves.  I just do not know what to say.

Mathew Hall telephoned from Germany with his condolences.

From Frans Luyben

First, my cincere condolances with the ´eternal patrol´of such good and honest men!!  I was shocked to hear off Mr.Hess´s death, such a vital and great man!  You have my deapest feelings off sympathy with these losses, and I do indeed pray for these brave men!

Art Aydelotte telephoned his condolences across the USA

From Steve Grabowski

I've been out with the RV and just heard about the terrible loss for all of us with the passing away of Dr. Hess.  With this Eternal Patrol departure, I sadly weep a tear for history itself.  My condolences, Harry, although I never met him, I know what he meant to you and countless others.

       Tonight, at sunset, I will be at the ocean's edge and will give a last salute in his honor.

Bill Olsen telephoned from America's heartland with his condolences

From James Edwards

It's so disturbing to read updates like this.  While it gives me solace to know that these great men are now receiving their eternal rewards, it's disheartening because they can never be replaced.  I'm not sure if our world will ever again see men of the make and mold of the German veterans.

Raul Colon telephoned from the Caribbean with his condolences

From John Devlin

I am really sorry to hear that Harry.  It is strangely coincidental because myself and my father travelled from Ireland to Hamburg on the 22nd to 26th of March last for the special purpose of visiting U995 at Laboe.  We really had a nice morning, and we had a lovely walk along the coast road from Laboe to the ship.  The u-boat and museum is beautifully kept and maintained, and, I fulfilled a lifelong ambition.

                  My sincerest regrets at that news again.

From Joe Meyer

Herzliches Beileid.  I am also saddened to hear of Herr Hess' departure from this world.  Memory takes me back to 1991 at the Chicago Sharkhunters Convention.  I was fortunate to speak with Mr Hess.  We led the group singing "Westerwaldlied" at supper that evening.

From "Mike" Michaelson
Concerning Hess - I met him on two or three patrols and thought he was a very fine old gentleman and I'm sure sorry to hear that he has departed on his final patrol.

From Paul Angel
Sorry to hear about your friend Hess. I know you will miss him.

From New Member Austin Craig

I was saddened to learn we had lost Hans-Georg Hess on March 28.  I really appreciate the signed photo of him you sent me and that I have framed on my desk.

 

From Master Mariner, US Merchant Marine Stephen Powell,
Condolences to you and the Hess family on Hans-Georg's passing.  Having been a Sharkhunter member since 1991, I enjoyed reading your articles on U-995 and your close relationship with surviving U-boat veterans.  Your organization has done a lot to preserve thier legacy as honorable men who did thier duty.  Without Sharkhunters, I am sure many of them would have faded away without any recognition in today's modern world of historical indifference.

From U-Bootfahrer Rolf Rosellen

Yes, I have read everything and I was very sorry to hear about it.  I have met him several times.  He was a great man.

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Sharkhunters was represented at the funeral by Sergeant Major Ken Rouse, U.S. Army (Retired).  His words.....
 

"When the remembrance for our dear Hans-Georg started, the small church in his town was filled to capacity; with scarcely an empty seat to be found.  I would say that there were between 150-180 people (possibly more) assembled to say farewell to this outstanding man.  In addition to family, friends, the Marine Bund, and former crew members of his there were also 2 representatives that I saw from the Ordensgemeindschaft der Ritterkreuztraeger (Knights Cross Holders Association) in attendance, both wearing their 1957 version of the cross.  The pastor gave, as is usual in these situations, a thumbnail summation of Hans-Georg's life, but I will admit that I was somewhat disconcerted when it went from his entrance into the Marine to his commanding the U-995 at the end of the war without mentioning his service on U-466 and with no mention of his receiving the Knight's Cross in 1945.  So it goes, I guess.  When the service in the church was over, all present went to the cemetary for the interral.  When we were all assembled there a lone trumpet played "Ich Hatt Ein Kameraden".  "Once I had a comrade"...what more fitting for our friend?  After all had filed by to pay their last respects (and, yes, I presented a salute both for Sharkhunters and for myself), most went with the Hess family to the Deutsches Haus to share remembrances and social connection for a time.  It was a gray, lowery day with a few drops of rain in the air as though the heavens were holding back tears for the loss of Hans-Georg.  On Saturday morning I returned to the cemetary with a young neighbor of his, who served on a U-Boat with the current Bundesmarine, to say my last goodbye (and found his resting place totally bedecked with flowers) and then stopped in to pay my respects to Heilwig before driving home.  At this point the skies opened up for most of the rest of the day, which I found also fitting.  Please forgive my somewhat melodramatic prose, but I chose to think that our sorrow was shared by Higher Powers and that was the indication".


 

Comments by Baard Haugland of the Royal Norwegian Navy WW2 about the loss of Hans Georg Hess:

IN REMENBRANCE OF HANS GEORG HESS - 1923-2008

     You and I were enemies in WW2, but spescial friends in peacetime.  I remember well our meeting in Kiel 1992, when you told me:

          "Our job was to sink ships, not to kill people!".

That was an exemplary attitude, as I respect very much!  And you lived up to that saying, when you picked up two Russians after sinking their ship, and landed them in Tromsoe, Norway.          I'll remember you and your attitude, Hans Georg Hess!

 

 

 

 

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These mails and telephone calls came from our Sharkhunters Members around the world and everyone seen in all these photographs are Sharkhunters Members as well.  This page was compiled by Sharkhunters Founder and President, Harry Cooper.  He and Hans-Georg Hess were great friends since they met in 1987.

Hess was a fine man with a great sense of humor - usually smiling, and he had a superb sense of honor and loyalty.  We will miss him greatly.

Should anyone else have comments to make about the loss of this fine man, email them to us at sharkhunters@earthlink.net