Obituary of Robert Dutton

Robert Fuller Dutton (Bob) was born in Niagara Falls, New York on October 29, 1924 to William W. Dutton and Hilda Fuller Dutton. Robert being the youngest with three siblings, Albert, Peggy, and Dorothy. The family, of Presbyterian faith, resided in Lewiston, New York. Robert attended Lewiston Union High School and Trott Vocational High School from 1929-1941. Mr. Dutton was inducted into the United States Army on March 16, 1943 at a young 18 years old! He served in the 141st Ordnance Division, Medium Maintenance Company in the Central European and Rhineland (Germany) Theaters, as a T/5 Corporal (Technician 5th Grade). Corporal Dutton served as a 529 Wrecker Operator and mechanic retrieving military vehicles from the War Zone. Wounded in action in Germany on May 1,1945 he spent several weeks recovering from severe burns and other injuries in France. He was sent back to American soil and spent several more weeks recovering at Valley Forge General Hospital. On October 27, 1945 Robert received an Honorable Discharge ordered by Colonel Vaughan for his honest and faithful service to the United States of America. 1943-1945 Mr. Dutton's Military Honors and Decorations from the U.S. Government include: The Purple Heart Medal, 2 Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal (Army), WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign WWII Medal, EAME Ribbon (European Middle East), Driver and Mechanic Badge. In recent years he was awarded Knight of the French Legions of Honor Medal , and The Governors Veterans Service Medal presented to Mr. Dutton by Florida Governor Rick Scott in April 2015 at a ceremony at Callaway National Guard Armory in Live Oak, Florida. Mr. Dutton graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northrup Aeronautical Institute in Hawthorne, California. He studied flight and ground aviation technician courses from 1947-1949. He graduated from Cal-Brown School of Aeronautics in California and graduated as an aircraft technician and pilot in 1950. Mr. Dutton was employed by Robinson Airlines (U.S.Air) in Ithaca, New York as a flight and ground mechanic 1949-1951. Moving to Irving Texas in 1951, joined Dallas Aero Service a major aircraft overhaul company, working on executive aircraft conversions and overhauls in charge of flight line and test flights. 1951-1953 Mr. Dutton was Plant Manager for Aero Corp in Atlanta, Georgia, a major aircraft and helicopter overhaul facility for the U.S. Army and foreign aircraft overhaul for the state department. 1953-1963. Mr. Dutton worked for Pan American Airways as manager of the jet engine overhaul section at Miami International Airport then at JFK International Airport in New York, managing jet airframe overhauls on Boeing 707, 727, and DC8 jets. He retired from Pan Am after ten years of service. 1964-1974 Mr. Dutton worked for Island Helicopter Corporation in New York in charge of all Component overhauls. 1974-1976 Retiring to Myrtle Beach, S.C. he became a starter/ranger at numerous golf clubs, immersing himself in what he loved: GOLF! He spent his retirement traveling around the world, golfing, fishing, boating and visiting with his family. Mr. Dutton has been a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the American Legion Organizations. Mr. Dutton is survived by his five children, Sheryl Ann Degruy of Hammond, La., Diane Spencer of Branson, Missouri, Ross R Dutton and his wife Sonjia of Lancaster, Ca., Scott D. Dutton of Columbia, S.C., Nancy Ann Sclar and husband Mark of Davie, Fl, his 6 grandchildren and their spouses, 5 great-grandchildren, neice Judy McDougall and husband Joseph of Sanborn, N.Y, neice Jane Dutton of Lewiston, N.Y., nephew Frank Dutton of Buffalo, N.Y. and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Mr. Dutton's funeral service is set for Friday, December 11th at 11:00 A.M. EST. at Hardison Funeral Home, N. Fourth and Ridge Sts. Lewiston NY 14092.He will be laid to rest at Riverdale Cemetery Lewiston, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Robert Dutton's memory to The Wounded Warriers Project. Donations can be made online (give.charitynavigator.org) or if you prefer to donate by mail kindly send a check to: Charity Navigator P.O. Box 6002 Bellmawr, N.J. 08099