Robert Brainerd Hutchinson was born on September 24, 1951, and died peacefully at home in Hanover, Ill., on December 10, 2021, after a long and valiant fight with cancer. Robert and his wife Ruth moved to Hanover, Ill., from Newtown in 2014. In honor of his wishes, there will be no formal ceremony and his ashes will be buried in the Casper Bluff Natural Cemetery, Galena, Ill.

Robert was born in Los Angeles, Calif. His family moved to New Zealand for several years before returning to live in New Jersey and finally settled in New York City. He graduated collegiate high school in Manhattan, before attending Reed College, finally graduating from Columbia University with a MA in geology.

His true passion was the outdoors. He was never without hiking boots, running shoes, kayaking paddles, and his beloved bicycles. He participated in several triathlons in New York State and Illinois.

While working for Brown Trout Publishing (California), he wrote several books which ranged from a children’s book to a geological guide through the Grand Canyon. He worked for Praeger Publishing (Connecticut) as an acquisition’s editor until his retirement in 2016.

Robert will be missed by his many friends as a gentleman and a scholar.

Family who will cherish his memory include his beloved wife Ruth, son Blaed, mother Joyce, loving sister Pam (Carl), niece Noor (Nick), aunt Sandy, cousins David, Ann, Susan, Debbie, Anne, Kristi and Keri.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque. Their dedication and care carried us through this most difficult time.

Online condolences may be shared with Robert’s family at tristatecremationcenter.com.

We would like to sincerely thank Jason at Tri-State Cremation Services for all his help.