Richard Gardner Hutchins

Richard Gardner Hutchins obituary, Eckerman, MI

Richard Gardner Hutchins

Richard Hutchins Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 12, 2023.
Richard "Rick" Gardner Hutchins, age 76, went to be with his Lord on December 5, 2023, at the SSM Health Hospice Home in Monroe, WI, after a brave 3-month battle with brain cancer. He was born February 28, 1947, in Champaign, IL.

Rick lived in Tolono, IL, in his early childhood before moving to Wheaton, IL, where he spent his school-age years and eventually graduated from Wheaton College with a major in Chemistry. Rick attended dental school at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and then served as a dentist in the United States Air Force rising to the rank of Captain. He later founded the Village Green Dental Center in Aurora, IL, serving patients alongside his loyal staff, with his warm personality and meticulous attention to detail.

Rick grew up going to his family's cottage at Piatt Lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, forming a deep bond with the lake, its Christian community, and its youth ministry, that lasted his entire lifetime. Over the years Rick enjoyed slalom skiing, sailing, and riding the trails on ATVs or snowmobiles, and could be found serving the lake community by clearing trails, putting up road signs, planning building projects, and making people feel welcome around the lake. Closer to home in the western suburbs of Chicago, Rick found great joy from singing in choirs, including the choir at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and the Take Note adult mixed choir. Other joys in his life included attending the Indy 500 with his sons, model trains and big trains, and traveling to and experiencing new destinations.

Rick is survived by his wife Judy; his former wife Jan Hutchins-Dewitt and their sons Nathan (Jennifer), Eric (Julie), and Joel; 7 grandchildren, Elise, Evan, and Emma Hutchins, and Ryan, Lucas, Samantha, and Elizabeth Hutchins; mother Jane; sisters Cynthia (William) Koechling and Carol (Daniel) Balow; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Richard was preceded in death by his father Gardner.

A memorial service celebrating Rick's life will be held on Saturday, January 13 at 11am at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 815 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540. A time to greet the family will be available immediately following the service. Livestream details will be forthcoming.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Doe River Gorge Ministries at 220 Doe River Gorge Rd, Hampton, TN 37658; or the Glioblastoma Foundation at P.O. Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715.

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January 12, 2024

Anna M. & Kelly P. planted trees.

January 11, 2024

Kimberly Spielman posted to the memorial.

December 22, 2023

William Okel posted to the memorial.

6 Entries

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Anna M. & Kelly P.

Planted Trees

Kimberly Spielman

January 11, 2024

I began working with Dr Hutchins in 1994, and immediately it was evident he had a passion for the profession, and both being graduates of University of Illinois, he made it easy for me to adopt his expertise and his compassion for patients. Above all else, he treated his employees like family, always being supportive, generous, and full of faith. He spoke of his mother and sons often and always looked forward to spending time with them. I had the pleasure of seeing him and meeting his wife Judy last year, he was excited to be moving to his cabin in Upper Michigan, where his "heart was." I see now how lucky I was to have had him as a mentor. I will miss him terribly.

William Okel

December 22, 2023

Rick was a unique personality that I enjoyed sitting next and singing with in the choir.

Katie Becker

December 14, 2023

Such a blessing to know you and Judy. Thank you for all the good laughs and allowing me to be there during the hard times. Sending you love, Judy

Jason Monroe

December 13, 2023

I remember the first time I met Dr. Hutchins in 2009 at Village Green Dental Center late at night. He was a humble man who was passionate about helping people. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to know him during this phase of his life, and I trust he will be missed by many. -Jason Monroe

Dave Musial

December 12, 2023

Your father and had a special and wonderful friendship.I dug up this picture from the Indy 500 race he invited me to go to with Joel and Eric. We had so much fun. I will miss him terribly and the summers at Piatt Lake, the construction projects and the snowmobiling. I will look forward to the day I will see him again in heaven as you will too. God bless my good and treasured friend and my sympathy to all the family.

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Sign Richard Hutchins's Guest Book

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January 12, 2024

Anna M. & Kelly P. planted trees.

January 11, 2024

Kimberly Spielman posted to the memorial.

December 22, 2023

William Okel posted to the memorial.