Marilyn Sitzman and Beatrice Hester Down the Knoll in Skaggs09

[Robin Unger]

Just for the record the Hesters can be seen in Willis #7. Mr Hester still sat down:

Yes that is the Hesters just prior to the shots being fired.

[Robin Unger]

In Alexandra Zapruders's book Twenty-Two-Seconds, A Personal History of the Zapruder Film page 34, while describing her grandfather's testing his camera: (boldface is mine)
“After a while, Marilyn Sitzman came walking up the hill. All the banks had been closed because of the president's visit, so she gave up and walked back to the plaza, where she encountered Abe taking some test shots of his payroll clerk Beatrice Hester and her husband, Charles.”

I did make contact with Beatrice's niece after about 10-15 years. She had a few memories, but I don't think she knew or can remember any assassination related details.

Beatrice was a middle name, not used by her niece.

She recalls Charles Hester worked as a sport's writer for a Dallas newspaper. I don't know if that is common knowledge or not. Perhaps someone could sleuth out his avatar with a little searching. I don't know which paper, the DMN archives are available free to Dallas residents with a library card. Maybe the Sixth Floor Museum Reading Room could help, once they reopen.

I have not heard back from her concerning photo identifications. I did give her a link of this thread, if she is interested.

Thanks for the information James.

[James Hackerott]

It took me many years before I realized the Hesters (probably) moved the bench from the shelter entry closer to the street at the edge of the patio after Zapruder filmed them with Sitzman. Presumably, to have a better view up Elm.

[Charles Collins]

It took me many years before I realized the Hesters (probably) moved the bench from the shelter entry closer to the street at the edge of the patio after Zapruder filmed them with Sitzman. Presumably, to have a better view up Elm.

Yes, it does appear that way. Just guessing, but I wouldn’t think that the normal position for that bench was blocking the entrance to the shelter (as it was in the Zapruder film). So they probably moved it to that location (from its normal spot) initially.

[Robin Unger]

The Bench as seen in Bothun
annotation credit: Martin Hinrichs.

[Charles Collins]

The Bench as seen in Bothun
annotation credit: Martin Hinrichs.

Any ideas on who that is standing behind the bench?

[Robin Unger]

There were two kids with white shoulder strips on there jackets;
I am pretty sure they are under the Stemmons sign in Willis 5.

Here they are in Cabluck.