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Hutter Gale Obituary
Robert Hutter Gale, 73, of Smithfield passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023, after a brief illness. He was the son of the late Robert Whitfield Gale and Charlotte Stannard Hutter Gale. Hutter attended Isle of Wight County public schools and the University of Richmond. He was employed at Gale Company and then Smithfield Foods for a number of years before becoming associated with Keller Williams Realtors in 2008, in Chesapeake. He was elected to the Smithfield Town Council at age 23 and served from 1974 through 1978. He was also a member of the Isle of Wight Democratic Committee for over 50 years.
Hutter grew up on the water in Smithfield and was an avid boatman and fisherman his entire life. His other interests were many and varied. From his maternal grandfather Harold Heyward Hutter he developed a keen interest in the culture and artifacts of Virginia’s Native Americans. Having hunted for arrowheads from childhood, he eventually inherited his grandfather’s extensive collection, which he proudly displayed along with his own finds. He was also a dedicated supporter of the efforts to preserve Historic Sandusky, his grandfather’s homeplace in Lynchburg, Virginia.
He collected baseball cards and memorabilia, and was a fervent Pittsburgh Pirates fan, even persuading his first wife Carolyn to celebrate their honeymoon in Pittsburgh to take in several Pirates games. His most treasured baseball memento, however, was a four-page letter Joe DiMaggio wrote to Hutter’s fifth grade teacher to excuse his absence from class to attend a baseball game. (Dimaggio was employed then at the Smithfield firm V.H. Monette and Company, and had befriended Hutter’s parents.) In recent years, Hutter loved traveling out west to explore Death Valley, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion and other national parks with special friend Mary Ann Low.
Hutter’s marriages to Carolyn Morris Gale and Phyllis Dale Yohannon ended in divorce. He is survived by sons Robert Shawn Carver Edwards, Brian Hutter Gale, and Kyle Devonte Warren, stepsons Justin Junda and Sal Junda, and brother Joseph Harold Gale. In addition to his parents, his brother Charles Whitfield Gale predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Little’s Funeral Home, Smithfield. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Historic Sandusky Foundation, www.historicsandusky.org.
Jimmy Miller
March 11, 2025
I was Hutters termite man during his real estate years he was loyal and a friend he would wait till I could get to a job even if he had to wait a week he had my back and I had his on many a deal . I was just looking him up to call him and I found he has passed Rest in peace my friend you will be missed
Ron and Lisa Zachau
March 6, 2024
Ron and I met Hutter when we moved to Virginia in 2015. He was our landlord. He always was welcoming. I could tell he was a man of high distinction. I remember when my husband's career moved us to Houston and I had to call Hutter up to give him the bad news that we had to leave his beautiful home on the Pagan River which I fell hard in love with. I was in tears. He had to calm me down a bit. Never had considered a landlord as a friend, but that's the way he was. I guess God needed another Angel to stand beside him.
Rhonda Davis
September 4, 2023
Hunter was my supervisor at Smithfield Packing for a few years. One day I told him the best dish I made was spaghetti and he said prove it so I brought him some and before I left Smithfield to pursue another career I had to bring Hutter spaghetti every time I made it. Sometimes he would ask me to make it R.I.P Mr Hutter Gale
Robin Cox
March 20, 2023
Hutter, I just learned of your passing today. I didn´t believe it at first. I remember my earliest memories of you were shortly after you moved to Smithfield, you were on crutches, and lightning fast chasing everyone else! I remember boating with your family. Our boats were identical, other than ours being red and yours green. I remember coming home from the James beaches in the summer with the boats running parallel while lightning lit up the sky. I know you still love the water. I hope you rest in peace and fly fast on Heaven´s best rivers.
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Ann Bray
March 11, 2023
Joe, Jimmy and I are so sorry to hear about Hutter’s passing. You, your family, and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ann Brat
March 10, 2023
Joe, Jimmy and I were so sorry to hear about Hutter’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Godspeed Hutter Gale
Steve Anderson
March 10, 2023
We were good friends since high school. Such a good person. He will be missed.
Jim Warren
March 10, 2023
Rest in peace Hutter. We started school together and I have known him for sixty some years. He was a great guy and a good fisherman. I will miss him.
Theresa Richardson
March 10, 2023
We are truly sorry for your loss. Please know that you all are in our deepest thoughts and prayers.
The Richardson Family
Donna M Howell
March 10, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Totty Shelly
March 10, 2023
Joe, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear brother. Hutter with such a good friend to all. May he rest in peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Mary Ann, and Hutter's sons at this time.
Carlton Hibbard
March 9, 2023
I love me some Hutter Gale !
Debra Coombs
March 9, 2023
Rest My Dear Friend. Wish you could have stayed with us a little while longer. You alway had a smile on your face and brought laughter to so many. To The Family, May your memories of the time you shared with Hutter bring you comfort. May God bless each of you.
Mike Delk
March 9, 2023
Hutter was great friend to all and a super father. I watched him this year endure adversity and keep loving ,supporting and giving . He always did the right thing. He certainly earned my respect. I am proud of you my friend for a job well done. I will miss you.
Wanda Collins
March 9, 2023
Rest easy my friend.
Carol Spivey-Bell
March 9, 2023
A great guy. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Judy Farris
March 9, 2023
So sorry to hear of Hutter's sudden passing. My sincerest condolences to the family on this tragic loss. We have been friends and work colleagues for decades. Always a gentleman and a professional.
I will always cherish our friendship.
I wish him eternal peace and blue skies.
Pamela Nurney-Bagdonas
March 8, 2023
Sympathy to family and friends. So sorry to hear this and glad no suffering. Another classmate gone but not forgotten.
Thomas Moore
March 8, 2023
Sorry to hear about Hutter. Hutter and me used to double date back in the late 1960's when I was dating a girl in Smithfield. We always had a good time. Being a Realtor, I found Hutter to be very knowledgeable and honest. Rest in peace my friend.
Tom Felts
March 8, 2023
Rest in peace my FB friend! You were special. Tom Felts
Cheri Hartford Cox
March 7, 2023
Prayers and condolences to the family and friends. A huge loss to the community
Debi Wilkinson
March 7, 2023
FLY HIGH MY FRIEND
Chuck & Debbie Owens
March 7, 2023
Hutter was a great friend of ours for many years. We have had many good times together when boating with our friends at Shoal Bay or camping in his back yard on rainy holidays. We will miss him dearly & always love our memories together.
RIP Hutter
Chris Prince
March 7, 2023
Hutter was a great man and will be sorely missed at Keller Williams. I had the pleasure of being in ownership with him and always enjoyed our chats, especially about baseball. We got along well, even though I’m a rival Cardinals fan.
My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
Chris Prince
David LITTLE
March 7, 2023
Hutter was a friend and really good guy GOD BLESS
Budi and Lynn Sheckler
March 7, 2023
What would I say about Hutter? First and foremost I have known Hutter for
45 years and I loved him like a brother. We just spoke about 10 days ago when he called to tell me about the most formidable battle of his life. As usual, he was very optimistic and told me not to worry about him, he'd be fine.
Hutter and Carolyn and I became fast friends when Hutter shared a room at the U of R with my long time boyfriend and spent much time together. In 1978 when my long time boyfriend passed away from a horrible accident in Hampton, Hutter was the first person I called and they both came to my parents home in Suffolk in the middle of the night to help prop me up. Hutter was a rock and I knew he was hurting too. God bless both Hutter and Carolyn.
To Joe, Brian and the other sons and to Mary Ann, Budi and I extend our most sincere condolences and know any or all of you can call on us for anything. While we are all left behind to mourn and miss hi Hutter has gone to that Big Baseball Game in Heaven and we know that Pittsburgh will prevail.
I love you, Hutter. Rest in Peace until we meet again.
Patrick Beatty
March 7, 2023
I had the opportunity to meet Hutter two years ago. He helped me in purchasing a home. He was incredibly patient and provided great advice. I came to know him as a friend. Sending prayers to the family
Kristie Lanford
March 7, 2023
Tom and I are grateful for the life and love you shared with our daughter Hailey. You welcomed her into your family and always treated her with kindness. You will be missed. God Bless You.
Chip Fontaine
March 7, 2023
Sad to see he has passed. We had some good times together back in the 80's.
March 7, 2023
Hutter Butter, I will always miss you as you know you were like a brother to me. I will miss your jokes and your stories that you could always come up with and somehow convince people they were true. I will also miss your special calls asking our secret question.
My dear friend/brother I pray that you are now in the hands of Jesus.
Until we meet again..Jan Ayers
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1515 S. Church Street, Smithfield, VA 23430
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