C. Richard Dick" Hutchinson

C. Richard "Dick" Hutchinson, 66, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at HospiceCare in Fitchburg, WI after a valiant fight against cancer.

"Hutch" was born on October 10, 1943 in Dayton, Ohio, the younger of two children. He attended Ohio State University (B.S. 1966) and the University of Minnesota (Ph.D., 1970). Following postdoctoral work at Cambridge University, England (1971), he was an Assistant Professor (Pharmacognosy, University of Connecticut, 1971-74; Medicinal Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, 1974), Associate Professor, and finally Professor (Medicinal Chemistry and Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy). He retired in March 2000 to join Kosan Biosciences, Hayward, CA as a Vice President and head of New Technologies. In 2004 he returned part-time to the University of Wisconsin, left Kosan in December 2006 and in 2007 co-founded Centrose LLC. He was most recently President and Chief Scientific Officer of Centrose LLC and continued his ad hoc teaching and research advising at the University.

During his 40-year career, he made major advances in understanding the biosynthesis of naturally occurring drugs through studies of the molecular genetics and biochemistry of antibiotic production in microorganisms. Dr. Hutchinson published over 240 papers, held numerous federal and industrial research grants and received many prestigious awards, including Guggenheim and Fulbright fellowships, the Charles Thom Research Achievement Award of the Society for Industrial Microbiology, the AACP Paul Dawson Biotechnology Award, the Research Achievement Award of the American Society for Pharmacognosy and a Distinguished Alumni Award from Ohio State University.Hutch will be remembered for his strength of spirit, zeal for life and new experiences, and intellectual curiosity.Dr. Hutchinson is survived by his wife, Gaye, daughters, Jill (Joe) Bollettieri of St. Louis Park, MN and Erin Hutchinson (Dave Holsinger) of Chicago, IL, son, John (Betty) of England, three beloved grandchildren, and two grand-dogs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy.A private memorial celebration was held at the Kennedy Manor Dining Room on Thursday, January 7. Memorial services in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin are being planned for February. Individuals are welcome to share their memories at http://team-hutch.com/memories. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, or Dane County Humane Society.

Memorials:


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, or Dane County Humane Society.

Service:


A private memorial celebration was held at the Kennedy Manor Dining Room on Thursday, January 7. Memorial services in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin are being planned for February.