Robert Wolcott
Hutchins, 73
SMYRNA, DE - Robert Wolcott Hutchins passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2022.
Born on November 19, 1948 in Dover, DE, he was the son of the late Wolcott Hutchins Jr. and Beulah J. Hutchins of Woodland Beach, DE. He was preceded in death by his half brother Wayne Hutchins of Wilmington, NC and his wife Peggy Joyce Hutchins.
Mr. Hutchins graduated from Smyrna High School in 1966, where he played football and track. His friends made Smyrna High School some of the best years in his life. He enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, crabbing and boating. He loved Delaware's beaches & natural resources.
Robert Hutchins enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967, went to Fort Bragg, NC for basic training and then to Fort Eustis, VA where he was trained as an Army Boat Operator. He stationed at Fort Lewis, WA in 1968 and was then sent to Vietnam. He was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion 60th Infantry Regiment in the Mekong Delta as part of the Army/Navy Mobile Riverine Force. Four months later he was reassigned to the 1097 Medium Boat Company of the 9th Infantry Division where he earned a Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and National Defense Medal. In 1969 he was transferred back to the States to Fort Eustis, VA, where he commanded a 115' Landing Craft Utility Boat in the 612th Heavy Boat Company obtaining the rank of Sergeant E-5 and separated from the US Army in 1970.
Mr. Hutchins was hired by the Delaware Marine Police in 1974 and graduated from the Delaware State Police Academy in 1975 and attended Delaware Technical College, graduating from the US Coast Guard Law Enforcement School in Yorktown, VA and the New Jersey Marine Police Navigation School. He was a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain for vessels up to 100 tons and a rescue scuba diver certified by the Wilmington Police & Fire Departments. In 1988, Hutchins was promoted to Captain of the New Castle County Office of the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Enforcement. His duties included marine & wildlife law enforcement, marine search & rescue, Emergency Operations as Homeland Security Coordinator for the Division of Fish & Wildlife in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.
He retired in 2008 after 34 years of service to the State of Delaware and liked to travel, collect decoys, light houses, chess sets and coins. He enjoyed scuba diving in the Florida Keys. Mr. Hutchins loved his Shetland Sheep dogs, especially "Paddy," they made life better for him and his wife. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion and Asbury United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his brother, Douglas J. Hutchins of Cheswold, DE; his sister, Cheryl Ann Kenley of Camden-Wyoming, DE; his half sister, Sandy Winnington of Bear, DE; his nephews, Justin Kenley and Gabriel Kenley, both of Illinois, Weston Kenley of Dover, and Douglas Hutchins Jr. of Cheswold.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Faries Funeral Home, 29 South Main Street, Smyrna, DE. Friends and family may call at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna, DE following the service.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com.