Robert H. Dutton

Robert H. Dutton
Newark, DEL. - Robert "Bob" Hanvey Dutton, a resident of Millcroft in Newark, Del., died Tuesday, January 24, 2012, thus entering the kingdom of God and restful peace.
He was born in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 1921, the first child of Col. Donald Langley Dutton (deceased May 10, 1981) and Dorothy Karr Hanvey Dutton (deceased January 29, 1984) both also natives of Washington, DC. His loving wife of 55 years, Marjorie Elizabeth Rittenhouse Dutton, predeceased him on October 26, 2002. His sister, Julia Langley Dutton Ingham, predeceased him on May 20, 1998.
Robert leaves behind his son, Michael Robert Dutton (Carol-Lee) of Virginia Beach, Va.; his daughter, Patricia Ann Dutton Cavanaugh of Ardmore, Pa.; his son, Donald Cyrus Dutton (Eileen) of Lake Oswego, OR; his daughter, Sandra Lynn Dutton of Rock Hall, Md.; and his brothers-in-law, Julian W. Rittenhouse (Elizabeth) and C. Donald Rittenhouse (Faye), both of Newark, Del. In addition he leaves behind twelve grandchildren, six great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a very large number of friends and acquaintances.
Being the son of a career Army officer, Robert traveled the world with his father, mother, and sister. He attended the University of Hawaii and Georgia Tech University, but his graduation was interrupted by World War II. He served as an agent in the US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) with the occupation forces in Germany at the Bremen Enclave. Following his duty overseas, he briefly served in the Army National Guard before his honorable discharge around 1955. After the war he served with the New Castle County Department of Civil Defense as a volunteer.
Robert spent the rest of his life in Newark, DE. For about forty-five years, he was the Vice President and General Manager of Rittenhouse Motor Company, a highly regarded automobile dealership that was started by his father-in-law. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Newark which coincided with his career at Rittenhouse. He was a lifetime member of the Aetna Hose, Hook, & Ladder Company and the Newark Senior Center, where for many years he volunteered his time at the front desk, opening and closing the center on Saturdays. He was a delivery driver in support of Meals on Wheels through the Newark Senior Center and he transported patients from their homes to Christiana Hospital as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. For many years, the family made yearly treks to the Outer Banks of North Carolina where Robert was a founding member of the Duck Woods Country Club. He and his wife traveled to Florida in the winter where they maintained a second home. They also enjoyed many vacations in Rehoboth Beach, Del., and Ocean City, Md. Of particular note were their travels across the country to the west coast, visits to their son Donald's home in Texas, and trips to Hawaii and to the Bahamas.
Robert enjoyed participating in a number of sporting and social activities throughout his life. He was an avid golfer and tennis player and was a member of the Newark Country Club for over forty-five years. He also volunteered for the LPGA as a monitor at local ladies golfing events in northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. He also enjoyed surfing, volleyball, swimming, and fishing. He was a serious bridge and gin-rummy player. And, his sons were hardly ever able to beat him at the pool table or the ping pong table. He was a member of the Blue Hens Touchdown Club and was a season ticket holder for both the Blue Hens football and basketball teams. He enjoyed woodworking, which included finishing his basement and making furniture.
A memorial service in celebration of Robert's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read's Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, Del. 19720; or to the Newark Senior Center, 200 White Chapel Dr., Newark, DE 19713; or to Millcroft, 255 Possum Park Road, Newark, Del. 19711.
To sign guest book, visit spicermullikin.com