Former City Councilman Bob Hutchings Dies at 91

Longtime Rye resident and two-term Rye City Councilman Robert Hutchings, who had a long and storied career as an advertising executive, died January 22, 2017 in Northfield, Illinois.

Born in Utica, N.Y., he was the son of Walter F. and Zelda (Thomas) Hutchings. He went to Attica High School, where he received the American Legion Award of Merit for outstanding ability in leadership, scholarship, and athletics. 

During World War II, Mr. Hutchings served in the Army Air Corps as an AAF Cadet, with pilot and bombardier qualifications, and flew as Assistant Engineer on B-17 Transition Flights at Hendricks Field, Sebring, Fla. He received the American Defense Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. 

He attended Syracuse University on the GI Bill, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950; he majored in Radio Administration & Speech and minored in Sociology.