Bearce, Winfield 1937-2006

BEARCE, MURLLESS, HILDNER

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 11/3/2006 at 21:27:14

Winfield (Hutch) Bearce, 68, of Pella, passed away Monday, July 24, 2006 near his summer home in Indian River, MI.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Pella.

Hutch was born on October 20, 1937 in Auburn, ME, the son of Winfield H. and Marguerite (Murlless) Bearce, Sr. He graduated from Kents Hill School in Kents Hill, ME, received an A.B. from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME, and a M.S. and Ph.D. from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, WI.

On June 10, 1961, Hutch married the former Gretchen Hildner in Jacksonville, IL. After a period of moving, the couple settled in Marshall, MO where they started their family. Hutch took a leave from Missouri Valley College, where he was a professor, to serve with the Peace Corp. in Nairobi. He returned to Missouri Valley College where he later became Dean. The Bearce family moved to Pella, Iowa where Hutch served as Dean of Central College in Pella. After his retirement the couple divided their time between their homes in Pella and Indian River, MI.

Hutch remained active with the Counsel of Independent Colleges. He was an active member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella where he sang with the church choir and enjoyed volunteering his time with the Work of Our Hands store in Pella. He was active with the Little Traverse Conservancy in Harbor Springs, MI.

He is survived by his wife, Gretchen; children, David (Dana) Bearce and their children, Caroline and Evaline, of Pittsburgh, PA and Katherine Bearce of Pella, IA..

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Little Traverse Conservancy, 3264 Powell Rd., Harbor Springs, MI 49740 or Central College, 812 University Place, Pella, IA 50219.

The family entrusted Lintz Funeral Home in Indian River with arrangements.

The Knoxville Journal Express, August 3, 2006