When Charles A. Hutchinson retired Professor Emeritus in the College of Engineering in 1966, he was the University's longest service professor, having taught for 48 years, and one of its most distinguished faculty members. At the time of his death on January 13, 1970, "Hutch," as he was lovingly known by faculty, alumni, students, and staff, was director of Engineering Alumni Relations and had been chosen to receive this award for his special services.
A graduate of Wittenberg College (B.S. 1916, M.A. 1918), Dean Hutchinson began his teaching career at the University of Colorado in 1918 as an instructor in engineering mathematics. He was named assistant professor in 1920, and, as full professor in 1924, became head of the engineering mathematics department, a position of leadership he retained until 1962 when he was named associate dean of the College of Engineering. In 1967 he was honored by his alma mater as a distinguished alumnus of Wittenberg College, now Wittenberg University.
The University Alumni Association presented Dean Hutchinson with the Robert L. Stearns Award for exceptional service in 1959. He was honored by the CU Development Foundation in 1954 as an outstanding professor. During World War II "Hutch" was faculty liaison officer for navy programs on campus and served as ground instructor for air navigation. In the '50s he directed classified research for the navy and the air force. The navy recognized his work with a certificate for meritorious service.
Dean Hutchinson was the editor for twenty-nine books in the Harper's Mathematics Series over a period of fifteen years prior to retirement and served as associate editor for American Mathematic Monthly. He was the author of four widely used texts.
A plaque dedicated to Dean Hutchinson by the student chapter of Tau Beta Pi commemorates his devotion to the professional goals of his students. He was described by a colleague as "undoubtedly the most sought-after teacher in the Rocky Mountain area by students of applied mathematics in engineering."