Richard Hutson

1938 - 2022

Richard "Dick" Hutson, 83, of Lake Forest, IL, formerly of Libertyville, IL, died on January 13, 2022 in the arms of his loving wife of 58 years, Sandra, surrounded by his family. Dick died after several months of fighting various illnesses.

Dick was born in Noblesville, IN on September 30, 1938. He was a 1956 graduate of Noblesville High School, after which he attended Ball State University where he met his future wife, Sandra Lumpkin. Their long-time romance began on the first day they met. They both had other dates that night, but before the evening ended, Sandra had already set her sights on Dick and the rest is history. Their bond and commitment to each other prevails even now, nearly 60 years later.

Dick was perhaps best known for his passion and work in support of many different charitable organizations. Dick devoted his time to those less fortunate and to veterans. In 2019, after decades of philanthropy, he was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Dick was very active with Erie Family Health Centers in Chicago by helping to fundraise for Erie HealthReach Waukegan, a healthcare home to more than 10,000 Lake County residents. One of his notable accomplishments is that Dick personally recruited more than 75 veterans to

participate in Honor Flight Chicago. Honor Flight is a charity whose mission is to honor each veteran for their service to our country by providing free trips to Washington, D.C., including visits to the war memorials. Dick and Sandra supported these causes both financially and with their time along with other organizations including Youth and Family Counseling, Lake County Haven, Lake Forest Hospital, and the WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA. Dick was incredibly generous and caring and always went out of his way to help those in need.

Dick graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. business degree in 1960 and an M.A. business degree in 1962. At Ball State, and for many years thereafter, Dick was an active member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Some of his closest friends have been the fraternity brothers he met in college. Following graduation, Dick joined the United States Air Force Reserves.

In 1964, Dick joined Hewitt Associates (now Aon) in Libertyville, IL as its 65th employee. In 1966 he opened the firm's office in Los Angeles, CA where he and his family stayed for two years before returning to the Chicago area. Later he became a partner at Hewitt responsible for the firm's international business development activities, marketing, and public relations. He served on the firm's Executive Committee for many years. During his time at Hewitt, the firm grew to 5,500 employees. Dick retired in 1996 after a long and successful career, but stayed on as a consultant helping train new associates.

Dick's legacy at Hewitt was that he had a profound impact on the professional and personal lives of those he mentored. Not only did he help shape the culture at Hewitt with the infamous "Charm School" that he created and taught, but colleagues report that he was instrumental in their development and growth. Dick's kind and caring attitude towards his colleagues made everyone feel like they mattered. Dick's influence at Hewitt was immeasurable.

Following retirement, Dick was active serving on multiple corporate boards. He was a proud member of the Ball State University Foundation where he served as its Chairman. Before that, he was President of the Ball State Alumni Association. At Ball State, Dick was given several awards, including recognition in the Miller College of Business Hall of Fame. For many years, Dick was the Chairman of the Board for BMO Harris Bank-Libertyville. He also was a Board member at Wells Manufacturing and two NYC-based mutual fund companies.

Dick and Sandra were fortunate to be world travelers, visiting every state in the U.S. and dozens of countries abroad. One of the highlights of their travels was their trip "around the world" on a chartered jet for nearly a month, visiting every continent while stopping along the Equator and the Great Barrier Reef.

Dick was an avid fisherman whose travels took him to Canada, Costa Rica, and Wisconsin. Time on the water with family and his many fishing buddies was precious to Dick. He enjoyed watching, attending and discussing all things sports-related, but was most passionate about college basketball as he attended over 25 NCAA Final Fours. (his Hoosier background never left him!) Dick was a voracious reader of WWII history and novels. Dick and Sandra endowed three four-year scholarships at Ball State for outstanding high school seniors where they enjoy mentoring these young adults. Dick has been both a Deacon and an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville, and is a man with a deep commitment to his faith. Dick and Sandra moved to Lake Forest Place in 2010 where they were embraced immediately and enjoyed creating new and wonderful friendships. But most of all, Dick enjoyed spending time with his family and loved to brag about his kids and five grandkids.

Dick was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandra (Lumpkin) Hutson. They have two children, a son, Byron Craig Hutson (Jane) and daughter, Rev. Kristin Elizabeth Hutson (David Coughlin). Craig and Jane have two children, Joe and Amanda and live in Wilmette, IL. Kristin and David live in Cedar Rapids, IA. Kristin's son Brennan Hutson and wife Ava Gehringer live in Chicago, IL. David's daughter, Claire lives in Phoenix, AZ and David's son, Daniel lives in Ames, IA. Dick is survived by his older sister, Katylu Herriman, of Warren, OH, along with her three sons, their wives and eight grandchildren. Dick is the family patriarch and loved spear-heading efforts to plan the Hutson Family Reunion with his beloved extended family from across the country.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, January 22 at 1:00 p.m. CT at the First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville, 219 W. Maple Avenue, Libertyville, IL. Upon request of the family, all in attendance need to be fully vaccinated, and the church requires all attendees to be masked. Social distancing will be observed. The service will also be live-streamed on the church's YouTube channel which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/c/FirstPresbyterianChurchofLibertyville

There will be no burial service at this time, as Dick has donated his body to medical science - his last act of generosity. He will be cremated at a later date when a private family burial service will be held at the Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville, IL. Arrangements are by the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville. Info: (847) 362-3009 or please share a memory at www.BurnettDane.com.

Immediately following the Celebration of Life, friends of the family are invited to enjoy light refreshments and fellowship at nearby Mickey Finn's Brewery at 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL (parking in rear). COVID health and safety protocols will be observed, including mask-wearing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Richard Hutson may be directed to: The Hutson Family Scholarship (Fund #32211) at the Ball State University Foundation, 2800 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN 47304; Erie Family Health Foundation, 1701 West Superior Street, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622 https://www.eriefamilyhealth.org/support/donate/ ; or Honor Flight Chicago,

970 W. Higgins Road, Suite 310, Rosemont, IL 60018 https://www.honorflightchicago.org/