Donald ("Doc") Rawls Hutchison

Donald ("Doc") Rawls Hutchison August 17, 1921-February 16, 2015 Donald R. Hutchison of Bloomington passed away peacefully at home on Monday, February 16, 2015. He was 93 years old. Born August 17, 1921, in Bessemer, Alabama, he was the son of Ernie Horace and Ruby Florence (Rawls) Hutchison. He graduated from high school in Covington, TN, received his undergraduate degree from Transylvania College in Western, KY, did graduate work at Earlham College in Richmond, IN and earned his Medical degree in 1946 from University of Kentucky School of Medicine in Louisville, KY. He was faithfully and happily married for 65 years to Elizabeth Nell Tichenor Hutchison from Calhoun, KY, and was a member of The United Churches in Hot Springs, SD. Becoming a medical doctor was a dream of Doc's from the time he was six years old. He always said he wanted to be able to help people get well. He earned his board certification for Family Practice and lived out his life as he had dreamed. He first practiced medicine while stationed at Fort Benning, GA. In 1951 he moved his wife and young family to Fountain City, IN, to start his private practice. It was there with his wife, Nell, who worked right beside him, he earned the love and respect of his patients. For 22 dedicated and rewarding years, he made house calls to home bound patients often with the county snow plow clearing the way for him in a winter storm. He saw patients in his office daily and drove to the nearest hospital ten miles away sometimes twice a day to see his hospitalized patients. As the pace became too difficult, he moved to Hot Springs, SD, to finish his medical career at the Veteran's Administration there. He fulfilled his Civil Service years and retired in l987. In Hot Springs with a normal 40 hour week, he was able to spend many early evenings at nearby Lake Angostura practicing his second passion-fishing! After retirement, Doc and Nell spent many years traveling extensively across the U.S. and Canada with fishing always on the agenda. Another passion of his was his love of gardening. His bountiful harvests were shared and enjoyed by many. He also enjoyed imparting knowledge to all who surrounded him. He would often quiz his caregivers on the meanings of words and try to teach them something new each day-a great communicator and educator as well. Doc will always be remembered as a well loved and respected family physician, a loving family man who taught his family the value of hard work, integrity and having pride in all one tries to do. He is survived by his three children, Donald W. Hutchison (Joyce) of Wilmington, DE, Mary D. Hawkins (Kem) of Bloomington and Elizabeth Perley (Edwin) of Yutan, NE; one brother, Walter Hutchison (Helen) of N. Ft. Myers, FL and one sister-in-law, Betty Keith Hutchison of Cincinnati, OH; seven grandchildren, Debbie Ellis (Scott), David Hutchison, Robert Hutchison (Jenny), Christy Nowlin (Marty), Ryan Hawkins (Stacey), Mary Mollitt (Todd) and Mark Perley (Kendra); twelve great grandchildren, Leah, Jacey and Kendall Ellis, Owen and Eli Hutchison, Cara, Norah and JT Nowlin, Blake and Mason Hawkins, Mia and Ethan Mollitt. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Nell, his sister and brother-in-law Loraine and Robert Kiracofe, a brother Emory Hutchison and a brother-in-law, Thomas Tichenor. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice. Allen Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and on line condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org

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Donald ("Doc") Rawls Hutchison

August 17, 1921 - February 16, 2015