Hutchins, Ronald Earl (December 15, 1937—December 18, 2013)

Ron Hutchins from Westmont, Illinois attended Grinnell from September 1957 through January 1959.

One of his freshman-year roommates, Walt Giersbach, recalls that before college Ron had worked as a carnival roustabout and that in their room at Smith, Ron lifted weights. Walt worked for Ron’s landscaping firm in Westmont the summer of 1960, when Ron introduced Walt to the Easy Street bar on the Near North Side of Chicago and the music of June Christie and other jazz greats. Ron also helped Walt learn how to ride a motorcycle and buy a 1947 Indian Warrior cycle.

Afterwards Ron attended the Michigan State University, from which he obtained a B.S. degree in Economics in 1963 and a M.B.A. in 1964. In 1977 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Missouri.

Ron taught business and finance at Bradley University (three years) and Eastern Michigan University (29 years). Before teaching, he worked in the financial departments for General Foods Corporation, Allstate Insurance Company and Security Mutual Casualty Company.

After retiring from Eastern Michigan University in 2003, he and his wife moved to Leesburg, Florida. There he was a member of the Unity Church and an avid contract-bridge player and motorcyclist.

Ron, age 76, died in Leesburg and is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan Karen SeBriny Hutchins, three children (Laurel Ellen Hutchins Rousch, Debra Rae Hutchins Ladd and Bruce Allan Hutchins), son-in-law (Kenneth Ladd), a sister (Marilyn Hutchins Sheehy) and eight grandchildren.

Duane W. Krohnke