Fritz M. Hessemer, mechanical engineer
At almost 98 years of age, Fritz M. Hessemer of Falmouth, Maine, died Monday, March 18, 2019, surrounded by his loving family after a six-day illness.
Fritz was born in Darmstadt, Germany, and emigrated to America when he was 2 with his family where they lived in Wyomissing, Pa. During World War II as a U.S. Air Force second lieutenant, he navigated B-29 bombers over Japan. Fritz graduated in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, receiving Tau Beta Pi honors.
Fritz married the love of his life, professional artist Betty Smyser, in 1944, whom he wooed with 150 letters and four dates while a navigation cadet during the war. They enjoyed family life in York, Pa., with their three children, Marcia, Peter and Jane, and extended family. He was employed in management roles by S. Morgan Smith, hydraulic turbine manufacturer. Between 1959 and 1973 he won prizes for technical articles in the National James F. Lincoln Design Award Program. They moved to Rehoboth Beach in 1976 and then to Falmouth, Maine, in 2011.
Throughout his life, Fritz contributed to each community. In York this included York Symphony board member, children's associations such as Cub Scouts, PTA, United Fund Budget and Union Lutheran Church Council.
In Rehoboth Beach this included Family Court Appointed Special Advocate for Neglected/Abused Children, YMCA project manager for renovation, Village Improvement Association dune preservation, Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment, All Saints’ Episcopal Church treasurer and parish council, Rehoboth Art League Music Program creator, and chamber music groups in his home.
In Falmouth this included Portland, Falmouth and Yarmouth musicians joining Fritz for chamber music using the harpsichord he built in 1972 with Fritz on his grandfather's flute. Children from elementary through high school who attended the Ocean View Kid's Club sought out Fritz for his paper airplane making. He loved sharing lettuce he grew from the garden, his homemade granola, pear butter and the Ring Game from his great-grandfather with fellow residents and staff at Ocean View. Fritz and Betty worshipped at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary's and Falmouth Congregational Church where he especially loved the Bach organ music and singing hymns.
His wife Betty (he smiled broadly as he said “she is my spice, not my spouse”) predeceased him in October 2018 after 74 years of marriage. He is survived by daughter Marcia Page in England, son Peter Hessemer in Lake Forest, Ill., and daughter Jane Stegemann in Falmouth; six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Giles and Felix Page, Russell Mull, and Lydia and Peter Stegemann; four great-grandchildren, Zoe and Heidi Page, and Oscar and Amos Page; and his brother Paul Hessemer.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 30, at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to organ maintenance funds at either: The Episcopal Church of St. Mary's, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth, ME 04105, or Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign the online guest book.
