Oliver G. Hess ’71

Oliver G. Hess ’71, lawyer, movie producer, devoted husband and father, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on January 30, in Ojai, California. His death was due to complications from an aortic resection surgery. Oliver was born on July 14, 1949, in Chicago. His father, John Hess, was a writer, and his mother, Jane Vosper Hess, was a community activist. Oliver and his brother, Anthony, were raised on the family farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania.  Oliver attended Buckingham Friends School and Solebury School. While at Dartmouth Oliver took a two-year hiatus to play guitar in a rock ’n’ roll band before graduating in 1971. After working in downtown Newark, New Jersey, Oliver opted for a law degree and graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1979. He worked for several years as an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, including a stint at Greenberg, Glusker, Fields, Claman and Machtinger. In 1985 Oliver partnered with his friend, Kevin Kaliberg, to create Hess–Kaliberg Associates, a movie distribution and production company. Oliver and his wife, Leslie Toomey Hess, lived in Ojai for 25 years. For 11 of those years, Oliver lawyered with the Ventura County Child Protective Services, helping abused and neglected children. After retiring Oliver founded a legal-aid clinic for veterans at the Ventura County Veteran’s Center, where he worked pro bono for the past three years. His volunteer work as a lawyer extend to friends and family, who benefited greatly from his knowledge of the law, kind and accepting demeanor and quick recognition of the humor inherent in many legal issues. He loved to read, travel, exercise, eat well, drink wine and spend time with his family. Oliver is survived by Leslie,  his wife of 33 years, children John, Carl and Noriah and brother Anthony.