Dave Hutcheson

He was born in Red Wing, MN and raised on a family farm near Goodhue, MN. His father, Ray, was a farmer and community leader. Dave’s mother, Margaret was a housewife and teacher at Goodhue and Zumbrota schools. He was valedictorian of the Goodhue High School class of 1953 and an honor graduate of St John’s University in 1960 with a degree in economics and business.

Dave served in the US Army infantry as an enlisted man in 1955-58, and as an officer in 1960-1978. He was in Berlin when the Berlin Wall was built , spent six years in Germany and three years in Vietnam commanding infantry companies in both places. Medals he won include the Combat Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal. He retired in 1978 as a lieutenant colonel.

He received an MBA from Tulane University in 1970, graduated with honors, and qualified as an operations research and data processing specialist. He took courses in public policy at the Humphrey Institute and software design at Metro State.

After retiring from the Army, Dave worked for 15 years with Honeywell and the Hughes Aircraft Corporation as a business planning manager in avionics and the research center. He then enjoyed pursuing a variety of interests by working as an accountant, a software developer, full-time volunteer at the House of Charity, and a consultant for Elliot Park Neighborhood. He taught management and freshman symposium at the College of St Benedict-St John’s University. He and his wife, Elizabeth Stoltz, led student semester-abroad groups to Ireland and Australia. He served on the Citizen’s League Board of Directors, and the St John’s University President’s Council and Alumni Association Board. He was the Independence Party candidate for State Auditor in 2002.

Throughout his life Dave treated everyone with respect and kindness. Everybody liked him. He was never critical of others but set high goals for himself. He focused on serving others to make their lives better. He loved to read and tried to spread the joy of reading by giving carefully selected books to all family members for Christmas. He took great joy in singing in both the St. Peters Church choir and the North Suburban Chorus. Those who knew him loved him.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Stoltz, five children: David R. Hutcheson, Stephen Hutcheson, Maggi Marie Hutcheson, Patricia Ann Hutcheson, and Sarah Hutcheson Jahn, two stepdaughters Sheryl Lightfoot and Julie Hutcheson-Downwind, his sister Sigrid Hutcheson, 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Church of St Peter, 2600 Margaret St. N., North St. Paul on Thursday, April 23 with visitation at 11:00 and Funeral Mass at 12:00.

Memorial gifts may be given to St Peter’s Church or to College of St Benedict-St John’s University (CSB-SJU Office of Institutional Advancement, 37 South College Ave, St Joseph, MN 56374)