Ronald Louis Hesse

Mr. Ronald Louis “Ron” Hesse” Ronald Louis “Ron” Hesse of Bartlesville, OK died May 17th, 2013. He was born September 28th, 1946 in Corpus Christi, TX to Raymond L. Hesse and Virginia R. (LeBlaux) Hesse. By trade, Ron was an art conservator and restorationist. However, his education goes much deeper then the artwork he brought back to life. Ron joined the Corpus Christi Minor Seminary after the 8th grade. He had a lifelong desire to become a Roman Catholic priest. During the seminary, he learned Latin, and also taught himself Spanish, French, and German. Ron taught himself to play the organ, violin, guitar, and piano. Ron was well-read and enjoyed philosophy. He was interested in art at an early age and had many teachers encourage his unique skill. Ron travelled the world, spending time in France and other parts of Europe. Ron earned his Bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington. He also studied under 35 different watercolor instructors, including well-known watercolor artists Tom Lynch, Judi Betts, Christopher Schink and Jeanne Dobie. Ron created hundreds of beautiful water color paintings over his lifetime. After his yearlong apprenticeship at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City his passion for art conservation was born. Ron opened his first gallery and frame shop, The Grey Rose, in Dallas, TX in the early 1970s. After years of the big city life, he moved to Bartlesville in 1990 to be closer to his mother and father. While in Bartlesville, he worked as a professional framer at Pat’s Framing. He continued his passion for art restoration at his home studio, Fine Art Restorations. As one of the only professional conservators in the area, Ron met many people and helped many institutions including Woolaroc Museum. “I really get a tremendous satisfaction restoring old paintings and bringing them back to life again. It gives me great pleasure to restore someone’s old family heirlooms so that they can be passed down another generation. I am one of the most blessed people when it comes to employment because I love my job. I get to see the joy in the faces of the clients when they pick up their work and see what was once a lifeless painting with a badly damaged frame changed back into the way it was intended to be. It is like saving a life” – Ron. He is survived by one sister, Pamela Gander, of Bentonville, AR; three nephews Christopher Lee, Joshua Ray and Nicholas Andrew and one niece, Elizabeth Andrea. Ron was a loving uncle to his niece and nephews – encouraging them to be creative and to live life to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Damian Louis. Ron was loved by many and will be dearly missed. The Mass of the Ressurection will be held on Friday, June 7th at 6:30pm at St. Johns Catholic Church, 715 S. Johnstone, Bartlesville, OK 74003. To extend Ron’s legacy, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bartlesville Art Association in his name. This money will be used by BAA to support graduating artists with scholarships for further education and in youth scholarships for the BAA Summer Art Camp. Checks can be mailed to: Bartlesville Art Association Ron Hesse Memorial PO Box 961 Bartlesville, OK 74005 PDF Printable Version

Ronald Louis Hesse

September 28, 1946 - May 17, 2013