SCOTT R. HIESTER, CAPT, USMC
Scott Hiester '83
Lucky Bag
From the 1983 Lucky Bag:
Scott R. Hiester
Robesonia, Pennsylvania
Every company has its resident "grunt" and 36th has Scott. Arriving at USNA from Robesonia, PA via a short tour at Villanova University, this mid decided early he'd stick it out and quickly spread out his roots in chapel choir, Glee club, and Semper Fidelis society. Not content with just token participation, he involved himself further as company guidon, president of chapel choir, and 2nd. Set Mike company commander. But life was not all play and no work for him. Not being able to totally forsake the Navy, Scott became a Naval Architect and disappeared into Rickover to play with his toy boat in tow tank and listen to Dr. B’s stories. But he did surface each weekend to enjoy time out with the Glee club on tour, road trips in "das boot," or maybe even to crack a book.
Scott’s fond memories include New England tour, singing at the Inaugural Ball, Marine Corps option cruise to Hawaii, and plebe summer with Mike company. The best memories, though, are those of his friends. From Zog-his roommate for life, through Tim, Kent, R.K., and the boys of 36th., to finally "Mer," the kid from Kansas, Scott's closest memories will forever be of his friends.
Good luck in the corps, buddy, you never lacked a sense of humor or warmth and we in 36th never lacked shoo fly pie or chocolate chip cookies. Tell Mom thanks for the chow! —M.J.T.
Scott R. Hiester
Robesonia, Pennsylvania
Every company has its resident "grunt" and 36th has Scott. Arriving at USNA from Robesonia, PA via a short tour at Villanova University, this mid decided early he'd stick it out and quickly spread out his roots in chapel choir, Glee club, and Semper Fidelis society. Not content with just token participation, he involved himself further as company guidon, president of chapel choir, and 2nd. Set Mike company commander. But life was not all play and no work for him. Not being able to totally forsake the Navy, Scott became a Naval Architect and disappeared into Rickover to play with his toy boat in tow tank and listen to Dr. B’s stories. But he did surface each weekend to enjoy time out with the Glee club on tour, road trips in "das boot," or maybe even to crack a book.
Scott’s fond memories include New England tour, singing at the Inaugural Ball, Marine Corps option cruise to Hawaii, and plebe summer with Mike company. The best memories, though, are those of his friends. From Zog-his roommate for life, through Tim, Kent, R.K., and the boys of 36th., to finally "Mer," the kid from Kansas, Scott's closest memories will forever be of his friends.
Good luck in the corps, buddy, you never lacked a sense of humor or warmth and we in 36th never lacked shoo fly pie or chocolate chip cookies. Tell Mom thanks for the chow! —M.J.T.
Loss
Scott was lost on September 3, 1987 when the CH-46E Sea Knight he was co-piloting crashed aboard Camp Pendleton, California, during a night training exercise. Three others aboard were also killed. They were members of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 164.
Other Information
From The Los Angeles Times on September 10, 1987:
Four Marines killed when their helicopter slammed into a mountain on a night training mission were remembered Wednesday at a crowded memorial service at the Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin.
During the solemn hourlong service, held in a tiny theater on base, those aboard the CH-46E Sea Knight that crashed last Thursday at Camp Pendleton were depicted as simple, small-town men who loved to fly.
Navy chaplain Robert B. Needham told more than 300 family members and friends that the four men were not only "good Marines, but good friends."
Killed instantly in the Sea Knight crash were the pilot, 1st Lt. Chris. R. Toburen, 27, of Pittsburg, Kan.; the co-pilot, 1st Lt. Scott R. Hiester, 27, of Robesonia, Pa.; the crew chief, Lance Cpl. Todd B. Kershner, 20, of Lomax, Ill.; and the observer, 1st Lt. Christopher M. Tanner, 27, of Malvern, Ark.
Stretched behind him on the stage curtain was a huge U.S. flag. The overflow crowd spilled out the theater doors, and dozens of people either stood or sat outside on folding chairs under a canopy. On the steamy, still day, many people fanned themselves with programs or went coatless as they listened to the eulogies on a portable public address system.
…
Hiester shared Tanner's religious faith. He made frequent entries in a "spiritual journal," 1st Lt. Kevin L. Smith said. Hiester also organized weekly Bible readings for base officers. When away from his wife, Cathy, on missions, Hiester often listened to Christian or classical music and wrote letters home.
Neither the Heisters nor the Toburens had children.
Following the service, most family members left were escorted to another part of the base. But Hiester's wife stayed behind, greeting friends with a warm smile and an occasional hug. She chose not to wear black, opting instead for a bright blue sweater vest and matching skirt.
"She wanted this to be an up day, not a sad day," a friend said outside the theater. "She did not want to wear black or look like the typical widow .... She decided life must go on."
From the November 1987 issue of Shipmate:
Capt. Scott R. Hiester USMC was killed on the evening of 3 September 1987 when his CH-46 helicopter crashed in the Case Springs area north of Camp Pendleton airfield in Southern California. He and the other two officers and one enlisted crewman killed in the crash were attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Tustin. A memorial service was held on 9 September at MCAS Tustin.
Born in Pennsylvania, he was appointed to the Naval Academy from his native state and graduated with the Class of 1983. Recently promoted, he was the Squadron Intelligence Officer for HMM-164.
He is survived by his wife, the former Cathy A. Bright; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Hiester of Heidelberg Township, Pennsylvania; and his brother, Stephen Hiester.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Graduated in 1978 from Conrad Weiser High School. Voted Most Musical. “Fish” Collecting old things . . . lasagne, Baer and Stern . . . Europe . . . Glee Club . . . swimming . . . Aries blue . . . “You fool I” McDonalds . . . hiking . . . Naval Academy or ROTC. BAND; Football 1,2,3,4; Pep 1,2,3,4; Stage 1,2,3,4; State 1,2,3,4; Pit 1,2; May Day 1,2,3; Commencement 1,2,3; Student Conductor 3,4; CHORUS; Glee Club 2,3,4; Choraleers 2,3,4; Winter Track 4; Boy’s Tennis 3,4; Student Council 1,2,3,4; Student Council Treasurer 4; Drama 1,2,3,4; Drama President 4; Weicon yearbook 3,4; Weicon Editor 4; Interpreter 1; Class President 1; Jr. County Band & Chorus 1; Sr. County Band & Orchestra ,2,3,4; Sr. County Chorus 2,3; District Band & Orchestra 1,2,3,4; Region Band 2,3,4; East State Orchestra 3; All-State Band 4; Musical 3,4; Drama Play 3,4; Student Recital 1,2,4; Woodwind Quintet (bassoon) 1,4; Drum Major 3,4; Water Survey Group 3,4; Homeroom Officer 1,3,4; Commencement Chorus 2,3,4.
The Tustin News — which is where Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was located — had an interview with Scott about the bagpipes; it ran the same day he was killed.
In addition to his wife, he was survived by his parents and brother. Scott is buried in Pennsylvania.
Remembrances
From an email from Jim Loper, USNA '83 and a squadron mate of Scott's:
Scott was a good guy and his faith was important to him and his wife. He was musically inclined and he learned how to play the bagpipes. One of my memories is of him playing the the Marine Corps hymn on his bagpipes for the entire camp at Camp Wilson (29 Palms) during various exercises.
From Find A Grave:
In 1987 Captain Hiester was my officer in charge (OIC) and I remember the morning I was told about the helicopter accident at Camp Pendleton. The most import thing about Captain Hiester was that he knew the Lord. He was a genuine nice guy. Kevin Ekstrom on April 17, 2023
From an unknown author, speaking notes prepared for his funeral:
When we lost Scott Hiester last Thursday, we lost a man with so many varied strengths and interests, his loss affects and touches us that much more. First and foremost, he was a Christ-centered man. He was the initiator of the local Officers Christian Fellowship here in the Tustin/El Toro area, a fellowship that he carried over from his days as a midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy. Of course, he was an influential member of his church community, but more importantly, he was a living example of God's tireless servant to all who knew him.
One of Scott's great loves was music, and his tastes were quite eclectic. At training exercises in Yuma and 29 Palms, he would bring his tape player and pop in an Amy Grant tape, followed by a Gordon Lightfoot one, and then he would write a letter to Cathy while listening to Tchaikovsky. We all remember him stomping up and down at Bridgeport and the Stumps, blowing into his bagpipes and causing noise complaints from neighboring Marines.
he loved to sing, work with leather, eat Cathy's home cooked sweets, and his newest interest was his computer. Much to Cathy's dismay, Scott invested in a home computer, and though he told Cathy it was "their" computer, Cathy knew it was his new toy.
Scott was a committed officer and husband. He put 100% of his energies to accomplish the assigned task. He knew the commitments and demands the Marine Corps asked of him, and he died knowing those commitments. He loved flying, he loved his job, he loved life.
Scott kept a spiritual journal, which Cathy has graciously permitted the reading of one of his passages. He commented on one scripture verse, which I would like to read:
2 Timothy 4:6-8: The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is, will award it to me - and not only to me, but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing.
Scott's comment reads as follows: "Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 tells of his readiness to see the Lord, to be with God. The idea is not only to be ready for the Lord at death but during your whole life remain in fellowship, meditating on his promises, and putting Christ first."
We will miss you, Scooter.
Photographs
All photographs from his high school yearbook.
From Find A Grave
Memorial Hall Error
Scott is listed in Memorial Hall as a 1LT; his Shipmate obituary above notes he was "recently promoted" to Captain. His gravestone also has Captain.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
