More detail on this person: Richard L. Hutchinson 1947-2006 Richard L. Hutchinson, age 58, died at a local hospital on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Richard was born on May 24, 1947, in Setauket, NY to the late Raymond and Estelle Marquis Hutchinson. He attended Suffolk County Community College, NY and graduated with an AAS in Marine Technology. Richard joined the Army in July 1968 and served twenty years as an Instructor Pilot in mountain/desert and jungle operation as well as medical evacuation procedures. He served two tours as a Medevac Pilot in Vietnam and was awarded four Purple Hearts, two Distinguished Flying Crosses as well as many others including a Silver Star, a Defense Superior Service Medal, three Air Medals, two with Valor, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement, a Vietnam Service Medal, three Vietnam Campaign Medals, a Humanitarian Service Medal, five Army Good Conduct Medals and a National Defense Medal. He also served in Korea, Fort Benning, GA, Fort Rucker, AL, Ft. Stewart, GA, and Panama Canal Zone. He retired in October 1988 as a Chief Warrant Office (CW4). After retirement, Richard flew the oilrigs in Louisiana for Petroleum Helicopters Inc. Richard was an avid fisherman, scuba diver and "jack of all trades" and was always offering his help to others. He was a dedicated member of St. Jude's Catholic Church where he often volunteered his services to maintain the churches electrical equipment. Richard was united in marriage in 1975 to Monique Paulette LaBerge and is survived by Monique, his brother Stephen, and his wife Geraldine Hutchinson of Richmond, Virginia, his sister Carol Bayles of Ocala, Florida and many nieces, nephews and friends. Richard, affectionately known as "Hutch" to family and friends was a friend to all and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held for Richard L. Hutchinson at 12:00 noon on Friday, April 21, 2006 at St. Jude's Catholic Church with Father George Thekkummattahil officiating. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens. Our unit patch, 3/498th Med - Steve Riley Added: Oct. 26, 2016 I had the pleasure of knowing Hutch when I was assigned to the 3/498th Medical Detachment at Wright Army Airfield, Fort Polk Louisiana in 1983. He was a wonderful person and a professional aviator. As a junior pilot at the time he taught me so much that I didn't know. I am sure his teachings got me out of quite a few dangerous flying situations. I will always treasure the time I served with him. The short silver-haired man was truly one of a kind. I do miss Hutch and only wish I could have thanked him one last time for the friendship and dignity he showed to me. Rest in peace Hutch. - Steve Riley Added: Oct. 26, 2016
Burial information: Pensacola Memorial Gardens, Pensacola, FL
This information was last updated 09/21/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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