1930
Dr.
2012
Dr. Robert Bess Jr., Md
May 15, 1930 — September 30, 2012
Westernport
Keyser, WV
Robert William Bess Jr. MD, 82, of Keyser, died Sunday September 30, 2012 at Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser.
Born on May 15, 1930 in Keyser, he is the son of the late Robert W. Bess Sr. MD and Margaret B. (Johnson) Bess. Also preceding him in death are his grandparents, Charles Lewis and Maggie Napier Bess and James Brownlee and Sylvia Linn Johnson; and a brother-in-law Robert Campbell.
Dr. Bess’ primary education started at Piedmont Elementary School and then he became a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA, Potomac State College, Keyser, West Virginia University, Morgantown, the Medical College of Virginia, and served a rotating internship at Winchester Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bess’ certificates and appointments include; both Maryland and West Virginia Boards of Medicine, American Board of Family Practice, WVU School of Medicine Associate Professor of Family Medicine Visiting Clinician for 25 years, Preceptor of Rural Health Medicine and Nursing, an Industrial Physician for Westvaco for 20 years and FAA Medical Examiner for 42 years.
Dr. Bess was highly involved in the surrounding communities. He was associated with Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser, where he was on the medical staff from 1959 to present, Chief of Staff from 1967 to 1969, Chairman for Joint Committee National Accreditation form 1968 to present, Member of the Governing Board, Medical Director from 1969 to present, Medical Director for Hospice Service, all at Potomac Valley Hospital. He was a member of the Tri-Towns Rotary, served with the Tri-Towns bloodmobile, Western Maryland Health Association, where he was a member of the first CPR Heart Training team in Maryland. He was the first instructor trainer in CPR in West Virginia. He initiated the first CCC Unit in Potomac Valley Hospital and trained two classes of nurses in Cardiac arrthymias and treatment. Dr. Bess served on the Mineral County Board of Education for 11 years and was President for 2 of those years. He was over a 50 year member of Mt. Carbon/Davis Lodges: 32nd Degree Cumberland Consistory, a member of Ali Ghan Shrine where he was a past Director of Royal Order of Jesters. He served on the First National Bank of Piedmont and then the First United Bank And Trust Board Of Directors. He was a team physician for local area schools and colleges, including Bruce High School, Westernport, MD for many years. He was inducted as an honorary member of the Piedmont High School Alumni Association. Dr. Bess was affiliated with both the Piedmont and Keyser Presbyterian Churches since his birth. He was an Ordained Elder and Youth Leader at Piedmont Presbyterian Church and Choir and Trustee at Keyser Presbyterian Church. His involvement also included 35 years with the Boy Scouts of America with voluntary service including; Cub Master, Scout Master, Merit Badge Counselor, Three National Jamboree Medical Staffs, District Award of Merit, Vigil Award of Order of the Arrow District Chairman, District Chairman, District Training Award, President of the Potomac Council, Silver Beaver Award, Wood Badge Training Award. It was an honor for him to present his son Allen with the Eagle Scout Award. One of his proudest accomplishments was selecting and acquiring the site of the new Keyser high School. He was also proud to be involved with Supporting Management in the planning and development of the new Potomac Valley Hospital. The hospital was dedicated in December 2008 to Robert Bess Jr., MD, Robert W. Bess Sr., MD, Thomas F. Bess, MD and their families. Dr. Bess provided health care for the Tri-State area for 52 years, he was honored by the Town of Piedmont for his service for over 50 years.
Dr. Bess is survived by his wife of 38 years, Constance “Connie” C. (Poland) Bess of Keyser. Dr. Bess is survived by his children, Renna Thayer Bess of Swanton, MD and companion Robert Kimmel of Vienna, VA; Robert W. Bess III of Keyser; James B. Bess and companion Connie Moore of Burlington; Charles D. Bess, MD and wife Melissa of New Creek; Margaret L. Bess Roberts and husband Tom, New Martinsville; Allen J. Bess and companion Spencer Marie Holland of Myrtle Beach, SC. Along with his grandchildren, he is also survived by his grandchildren, Amanda Grieu Whitmore and husband Joseph of Nicosia, Cyprus; Ariana S. Grieu of Baltimore, MD; Ashley Nicole Knight of Harrogate,TN; James R. Bess and wife Tiffany of Morgantown; Jeremy S. Bess and companion Sonee Miller of Keyser; Zachary T. Bess-Lima of Lutz, FL; Tyler A. Bess-Lima of Lutz, Fl; Halea D. Evans of Keyser, Rennick Bess of Keyser and Alexa V. Bess of Keyser. Dr. Bess is also survived by his first great-grandchild Mia Grace Whitmore of Nicosia, Cyprus; his siblings, Margaret J. Bess Campbell of Virginia Beach, VA; Sylvia L. Bess Kaiser and husband Robert DDS of Salem, VA; Rebecca L. Bess Sagers and husband Robert of Dublin, VA; and a daughter-in-law Kathy R. Bess.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for Dr. Bess on Saturday October 6, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Keyser Presbyterian Church, 300 South Mineral Street, Keyser, with Rev. Karen Long officiating. Friends and family may offer condolences and share memories at the church’s fellowship hall after the service.
Robert William Bess Jr. MD, 82, of Keyser, died Sunday September 30, 2012 at Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser.
Born on May 15, 1930 in Keyser, he is the son of the late Robert W. Bess Sr. MD and Margaret B. (Johnson) Bess. Also preceding him in death are his grandparents, Charles Lewis and Maggie Napier Bess and James Brownlee and Sylvia Linn Johnson; and a brother-in-law Robert Campbell.
Dr. Bess’ primary education started at Piedmont Elementary School and then he became a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA, Potomac State College, Keyser, West Virginia University, Morgantown, the Medical College of Virginia, and served a rotating internship at Winchester Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bess’ certificates and appointments include; both Maryland and West Virginia Boards of Medicine, American Board of Family Practice, WVU School of Medicine Associate Professor of Family Medicine Visiting Clinician for 25 years, Preceptor of Rural Health Medicine and Nursing, an Industrial Physician for Westvaco for 20 years and FAA Medical Examiner for 42 years.
Dr. Bess was highly involved in the surrounding communities. He was associated with Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser, where he was on the medical staff from 1959 to present, Chief of Staff from 1967 to 1969, Chairman for Joint Committee National Accreditation form 1968 to present, Member of the Governing Board, Medical Director from 1969 to present, Medical Director for Hospice Service, all at Potomac Valley Hospital. He was a member of the Tri-Towns Rotary, served with the Tri-Towns bloodmobile, Western Maryland Health Association, where he was a member of the first CPR Heart Training team in Maryland. He was the first instructor trainer in CPR in West Virginia. He initiated the first CCC Unit in Potomac Valley Hospital and trained two classes of nurses in Cardiac arrthymias and treatment. Dr. Bess served on the Mineral County Board of Education for 11 years and was President for 2 of those years. He was over a 50 year member of Mt. Carbon/Davis Lodges: 32nd Degree Cumberland Consistory, a member of Ali Ghan Shrine where he was a past Director of Royal Order of Jesters. He served on the First National Bank of Piedmont and then the First United Bank And Trust Board Of Directors. He was a team physician for local area schools and colleges, including Bruce High School, Westernport, MD for many years. He was inducted as an honorary member of the Piedmont High School Alumni Association. Dr. Bess was affiliated with both the Piedmont and Keyser Presbyterian Churches since his birth. He was an Ordained Elder and Youth Leader at Piedmont Presbyterian Church and Choir and Trustee at Keyser Presbyterian Church. His involvement also included 35 years with the Boy Scouts of America with voluntary service including; Cub Master, Scout Master, Merit Badge Counselor, Three National Jamboree Medical Staffs, District Award of Merit, Vigil Award of Order of the Arrow District Chairman, District Chairman, District Training Award, President of the Potomac Council, Silver Beaver Award, Wood Badge Training Award. It was an honor for him to present his son Allen with the Eagle Scout Award. One of his proudest accomplishments was selecting and acquiring the site of the new Keyser high School. He was also proud to be involved with Supporting Management in the planning and development of the new Potomac Valley Hospital. The hospital was dedicated in December 2008 to Robert Bess Jr., MD, Robert W. Bess Sr., MD, Thomas F. Bess, MD and their families. Dr. Bess provided health care for the Tri-State area for 52 years, he was honored by the Town of Piedmont for his service for over 50 years.
Dr. Bess is survived by his wife of 38 years, Constance “Connie” C. (Poland) Bess of Keyser. Dr. Bess is survived by his children, Renna Thayer Bess of Swanton, MD and companion Robert Kimmel of Vienna, VA; Robert W. Bess III of Keyser; James B. Bess and companion Connie Moore of Burlington; Charles D. Bess, MD and wife Melissa of New Creek; Margaret L. Bess Roberts and husband Tom, New Martinsville; Allen J. Bess and companion Spencer Marie Holland of Myrtle Beach, SC. Along with his grandchildren, he is also survived by his grandchildren, Amanda Grieu Whitmore and husband Joseph of Nicosia, Cyprus; Ariana S. Grieu of Baltimore, MD; Ashley Nicole Knight of Harrogate,TN; James R. Bess and wife Tiffany of Morgantown; Jeremy S. Bess and companion Sonee Miller of Keyser; Zachary T. Bess-Lima of Lutz, FL; Tyler A. Bess-Lima of Lutz, Fl; Halea D. Evans of Keyser, Rennick Bess of Keyser and Alexa V. Bess of Keyser. Dr. Bess is also survived by his first great-grandchild Mia Grace Whitmore of Nicosia, Cyprus; his siblings, Margaret J. Bess Campbell of Virginia Beach, VA; Sylvia L. Bess Kaiser and husband Robert DDS of Salem, VA; Rebecca L. Bess Sagers and husband Robert of Dublin, VA; and a daughter-in-law Kathy R. Bess.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for Dr. Bess on Saturday October 6, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Keyser Presbyterian Church, 300 South Mineral Street, Keyser, with Rev. Karen Long officiating. Friends and family may offer condolences and share memories at the church’s fellowship hall after the service.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Robert Bess Jr., Md, please visit our flower store.