David Dutcher

Thanks for being so cheerful.

Dave Dutcher heard me singing at a wedding at Fountain Street Church one day and asked me if I would join his Dixieland Band. So, I did. Bob Burton, Bill Lowry, Art Hills, Max Doering. Who am I forgetting? I sure enjoyed making music with Dave and the gang all over town, Washington DC, Schuss Mountain and more. So, glad I happen to be in the choir loft at Fountain Street singing in a wedding that day. Meanwhile, Oh When the Saints go Marching In will never be the same up there with Dave...

Dave Dutcher was one of the first attorneys I met upon returning to Grand Rapids from U of M Law School. He was a friend and general counsel to my Senior Partner, Lloyd Heneveld. He was always kind, thoughtful, enthusiastic and helpful. He was an outstanding community leader and one of my favorite "elder statesmen" in the Bar Association. God speed, David.

My acquaintance with David was a brief two years when he graciously shared his memories of co-chairing the South High School "Buy a Bomber" campaign. His valuable input provided the richness of detail to this incredible story. And from reading about his love of playing the trombone, I now understand why he gave up a ride in an Army jeep to the dedication of the bomber ceremony, to march instead with the South High Band. His generosity, integrity, patriotism and love of music was evident even...

Farewell and God bless David. You were truly one of a kind, from your days at South High and the bond drive to buy a B-17 bomber , to your student government days at U of M ( go Blue). The students at GVSU have you and a number of other civic minded people to thank for their opportunity to be educated close to home at a fine university. I'll bet Gov. Soapy Williams never thought you folks could raise a million dollars that he would have to match to start GVSU. Boy, did you and the committee...

I became acquainted with David at the end of his life here as we shared a table at Clark Home. He was a delight to be with and a pleasure to sing,I and others here at Clark will miss him but are grateful for the times we at the dinner table and the piano. Chuck strikwerda

Dear Dutcher Family,
My father, Arthur C Hills arranged music and played clarinet with Dave in the tailgaters, and worked with Dave as a founding member of the faculty and rising administrator at GVSC. Some of my favorite memories as a young man we're listening to the great Dixieland sounds of Dave and his band. Dave often provided smilie raising solos as band members shared the spotlight. They shared the stage for many happy times and played some important events including a Birthday ...

Dutcher family,

My friendship with Dave goes back to 1958 as near as I can recall. Our paths crossed many times; the next time will be in that Heavenly realm where Dave's musical talent will undoubtedly will used to the fullest.

Dave's dedication to his profession and his qualities of intelligence, integrity and loyalty, to name but a few, are highly respected. I extend my sincere condolences to his family in their loss.

To Dave.I'll see you on the other side, Au...