Brett Hesser, 1942 – 2022
Brett Hesser may be most often remembered for his outstanding performance as the King
of Siam in “The King and I” in the fall of 1958 , but he is also often remembered for his race cars and his imaginative pranks. In “Teenage Driving in the Good Old Days,” Nancy Fulton Ingle remembers going to the Senior Prom with Brett in his BMW racer with the doors welded shut. Nancy went into the car headfirst, and her mother stuffed her dress in behind her. The 1960 Virtual Reunion Website editors emailed with Brett several times last fall about website stories he was working on, including responses to Nancy’s story. He was as charming and entertaining as ever. At right is a recent photo of Lois and Brett Hesser.
Memories of Brett will be added to this space as we receive them.
In November 1958, the Drama Department described “The King and I” as East High’s greatest production ever. Lavish sets and costumes did not outshine the excellent lead performances by Brett Hesser and Connie Miller and the first-rate cast of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians. Photo below from Echoes 1959.
Brett attended the 1960 Reunion in 2000.
Obituary
Magnolia , Texas – Brett Erwin Hesser passed away unexpectedly on January 22, 2022 in Magnolia, Texas where he lived. He was born in Wichita, Kansas to Elodee (Erwin) and V.E. (Red) Hesser.
He attended Adams, Alcott, Robinson, East High and Wichita State University, where he held the record for the highest score on the college entrance exam for over four decades. While attending high school, Brett was picked to play the king in “the greatest production ever staged by the East High drama department, “The King and I”, which was seen by 7200 people.
Most of his career was in sales, which he both enjoyed and excelled in, and was still working until he left this world.
Brett loved spending time with his family, playing golf, taking care of his horses, hunting,
watching car races, reading, collecting Native American objects and discussing all of these subjects at great length.
He was a man of faith who sincerely loved Jesus and shared that love with many. He was kind and generous to family, friends and strangers alike, always giving help and support in any way he could. Brett was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and loyal friend.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents and beloved daughter Jami Suzanne.
Brett is survived by his wife of 59 years and the love of his life, Lois (Farthing) Hesser; sister Becky (Dick) Price, sister Jami (Harvey) Trammell; sister-in-law Flo (Farthing) Warren; daughter Lisa (Hesser) Galloway; grandchildren Megan (Brian) Stanley, Jordan (Dwayne) Welsh, Jeremie Barham and Gentry Barham; great grandchildren Addison and Layton Welsh and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Well done good and faithful servant.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be scheduled at a later date.
