Ted "Pinky" Hesse

The San Francisco Chronicle, 1/4/2009

Ted "Pinky" Hesse Moved on to join his friends and loved ones who had passed on before him on Dec. 30, 2008 in Petaluma. He was 78.

Ted lived what he described as "a great life." Born in San Francisco in 1930 to Theodore Kurt and Gretel Hesse, and brother of George and Walter, Ted's natural talent as a baseball player saw him play many wonderful games throughout his youth for Poly High School as well as many All-City teams. At 17 he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies and embarked on a prosperous professional baseball career.

Upon leaving pro baseball, and having served honorably as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War, Ted joined the San Francisco Fire Department in 1960. Besides playing ball, his years in the department as part of the "brotherhood" were his happiest, eventually retiring at the rank of captain.

Since his retirement, he and his wife and soul mate of 40 years, Jeanne, shared many moments of joy and happiness. Besides his wife Jeanne, those waiting behind to join him in the future are his son Tommy and his wife Nicole along with his three grandsons Hans, Frankie and T.J. Also waiting to join him is his daughter-in-law Jerrie who thought of "Tedly" as a second father; and his stepson Tim, who loved him like a Dad and looks forward to the day when the two of them can sit down and watch a Giants game together again.

A Memorial Service will be held at ADOBE CREEK FUNERAL HOME, 331 Lakeville Street, Petaluma on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, CA 94952. CHEDA & LYONS - Directors 707-789-9000.