Jo and Charlie Hess Sr. were married for fifty-eight years. Charlie was already retired when Jo’s sculpture career really got going, so he was in a position to help her a great deal with paperwork, installations, and in general managing their home when Jo was working. This was especially important when Jo spent weeks at a time in Colorado at her studio.

It was necessary for her to be gone for such long periods, because a successfully completed bronze sculpture requires that the artist work closely with various artisans who play a part in its production. Charlie’s support of her work made all that possible.

But prior to this phase of Charlie’s life, he had a very important and successful career of his own. When he died just after his 107th birthday, the Mobile Press Register published this beautiful bio by Michelle Matthews.