Sidney Leland “Sid” HUTCHISON
Sidney Hutchison, 77, a longtime resident of Seattle, Washington, passed away November 19, 2012, surrounded by family.
Sid was born March 29, 1935 in Lyndonville, New York. He was the second of four children born to Warren “Tine” and Marjorie Hutchison. After graduating from Lyndonville High School in 1953, Sid enlisted in the US Navy where he learned to operate and repair and later instructed others on communication and autopilot systems. He was honorably discharged in 1957 and joined his parents, who had relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Using his benefits under the GI Bill, Sid attended the University of Pittsburgh for two years and studied engineering. He also became an amateur “ham” radio operator and joined his father working with the Military Auxiliary Radio System, “MARS.” It was on one of these encampments where Sid met his future wife, Judy Vogle, whose father was also a member of MARS.
Sid and Judy were married in Pittsburgh November 5, 1960, with best friend Mike Toia acting as best man. Son Michael was born in September 1961 and then the family moved to Seattle. Sid went to work for Sperry Flight Systems and stayed with the company for nearly 30 years, when it became Honeywell, and he stayed another seven years. Daughters Sheryl and Diana were born in October 1962 and August 1968, respectively.
Sid was a member of Boy Scout Troop 399 for many years. He led the boys on a 50-mile hike through the Olympic Mountains in 1975, meeting up with Judy and the girls at a base camp on the Duckabush River. He was an especially proud father walking Diana down the aisle when she married Daniel in Seattle April 6, 1991.
Sid retired from Honeywell in 1999 and became a volunteer docent at the Seattle Museum of Flight. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading about operations in the Pacific Theater during WWII and sharing his miniature train set with his grandchildren. In April 2003, he and Judy traveled around Italy and Germany for two weeks, taking in the mountains, cuisine and art. Enthusiastic military supporters, Sid and Judy have been sending care packages to deployed troops since 1990.
Sid is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy, son, Michael (Diana), and daughters, Sheryl and Diana (Dan); five grandchildren, Brian, Timothy, Matthew, Noah and Renee; sister, Betty Caudill (Curt), and brother, John; sister-in-law, Christine Hutchison; and best man, Michael Toia.
It was Sid’s wish to have no memorial service as his remains were cremated and his ashes were sprinkled over the Pacific Ocean. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Seattle Museum of Flight.
He was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. Rest in peace, we love you Dad, Grandpa.
