Photo: Merry Lea staff members Bill Minter and Kerry Goodrich (center, kneeling) plant a dogwood in memory of Dale Hess with the assistance of Hess’ sons, Hans, Marcus and Karsten Hess, left to right. Luke Gascho, far right, looks on.

Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center staff, along with friends and family of Dale Hess, gathered in an orchard at Merry Lea’s Rieth Village April 27 for a committal service and burial of his ashes.

Hess died at age 60 on March 1 after a battle with cancer.

Hess was associate professor of agroecology and ecological field station director at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen (Ind.) College.

“Dale grew these grapes and canned this grape juice himself last fall, and there it was waiting for us,” Merry Lea’s executive director, Luke Gascho observed as he led the group in a communion ritual.

Gascho also pointed out that Hess had planted the surrounding orchard two years ago.

Hess’ remains were buried in a box made of carved camel leather from Niger.

The craft is native to West Africa where the family lived before Hess came to Merry Lea to direct its agroecology program.

The family carried the box to the gravesite wrapped in African cloth.

Worshippers were invited to add written memories to the hole and help bury the box. The service concluded with the planting of a dogwood tree.