Classes & Obits

Donald C. Hutchins ’57

Issue

September-October 2026

Donald C. Hutchins ’57 died on May 5. “Hutch” graduated from Classical High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, and at Dartmouth majored in history, belonged to Sigma Chi, worked for WDBS, and was in the Newman Club (four years). He served two years in the Air National Guard, including a year in Germany during the Berlin crisis. He developed a passion for skiing in the Alps. Hutch and classmate Don Cowlbeck opened and operated a bar in New York City called The Key Club. In 1959 he returned to Springfield and took over Hutchins Tool & Engineering from his father. Alongside his brother, Hutch grew the business. His inventive mind launched several patents starting with kid’s games, then a fire alarm indicating the source of the fire. This led to innovations in digital voice technologies and CPR Prompt, mannequins manufactured by Texas Instruments for use as affordable tools in training for CPR, automated external defibrillator application, and choking rescue. Hutch was always looking for the next challenge. He played polo, learned to scuba dive, and flew his Cessna airplane. He won many father-son tennis tournaments with his boys and in later years became an avid pickleball player. He attended Mass daily at Sacred Heart Church and served as secretary of his local Dartmouth Club (1963-66). His wife, Susan, predeceased him. He is survived by sons Brendon, Erik, and Ryan; and seven grandchildren.

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