Robert F. Hutton, 88, of State College, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, State College.
Born on July 15, 1921 in Stamping Ground, Kentucky, a son of Henry S. and Letitia Calvert Hutton, Bob received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from Harvard. His military service as an Army platoon commander took him to England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria and earned him the Bronze Star for valor under fire in France; he mustered out in 1946 as a captain in the Army of Occupation. As an agricultural economist, he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Valley Authority prior to joining the Penn State faculty in September, 1954.
As a professor in the department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, he taught courses in farm management, agricultural finance, and activity analysis; authored or co-authored over 40 articles published in scientific journals and professional magazines; and was a member of the American Farm Economics Association. A pioneer in the development of computer applications at Penn State, he applied linear programming models to the composition of livestock feeds, and was among the first to develop computer simulations representing farm businesses and other economic systems. He was co-inventor of an early portable computer, designed for use by traveling agricultural extension agents. He also served as consultant to the Milk Market Administrator of New York, the Grange League Federation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Farmer's Home Administration.
In 1967 he was promoted to Assistant Dean for Research, College of Agriculture, and Assistant Director of the Agricultural Experiment Stationthe research arm of the College, overseeing all its research activities as well as related projects in the Colleges of Science and Human Development. He was instrumental in moving the business activities of the College forward into the computer age. Between 1979 and 1982 he served as interim Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture. He retired from Penn State as Professor Emeritus of Farm Management in 1986, after 32 years of service.
Throughout his life, he was passionate about science and the pursuit of knowledge. He was an avid carpenter and woodworker who enjoyed devising novel solutions to mechanical and architectural problems. He contributed many hours and much expertise to the improvement of his children's homes, and was well known to his Foxdale Village neighbors, among whom he made many good friends, for his skills and his willingness to help with any situation that might arise. He was active in the Village's wood shop, and served a term as president of the Foxdale Residents' Association.
He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Sybil; three sons: Wilson and his wife Elizabeth Maturo Hutton, of State College; Gregory and his wife Vera Kochanowsky, of Falls Church, Virginia; and William and his wife Martha Jones, of Williamsburg, Virginia; three grandchildren: Benjamin Hutton of Pittsburgh, Andrew Hutton of Falls Church, Virginia, and Caitlin Hutton of State College; and two sisters: Marguerite Cardwell of Frankfort, Kentucky, and Ollie Shout of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. An elder brother, Jesse, preceded him in death.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Foxdale Village Auditorium.
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Community Fund or Employee Appreciation Fund of Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, PA 16801.