Mortuary Science

David Hess

David is responsible for developing the curriculum and courses for the Mortuary Science program at Salt Lake Community College, oversees the maintenance and assessment of the program, and has guided the program through the accreditation process with the American Board of Funeral Service Education.  As an Associate Professor and when he is teaching full-time, David teaches the majority of the core courses of the program focusing on the sciences. He has served as the Chair of the Senate Curriculum Committee, the Curriculum Analysis & Implementation Council and is currently a member of other sub-committees at Salt Lake Community College. David has served as the Chair of the National Board Exam Liaison Committee and participated in several curriculum reviews with the American Board of Funeral Service Education.  He has assisted the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards with writing and analyzing questions for the NBE and is also a past president of the University Mortuary Science Education Association.

He has been active in funeral service for 35 years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Utah, Illinois, and Missouri. David has been active in all facets of funeral service and community service, serving in various clubs and organizations and has completed over 500 hours of continuing education and professional development. He is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International and has served as Deputy Coroner in Alexander County, Illinois. 

He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University earning a Master of Science degree in Education with emphasis on Vocational Education, a Bachelor of Science degree focusing on small business management, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. 

David is married with two children and has resided in Utah since 2011.  He is an avid sports fan rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Los Angeles Rams.  David loves teaching, studying history, watching old classic movies, and discussing leadership principles.