DUTCHER, Herbert A. (1927-2022)

DUTCHER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/30/2023 at 15:11:19

Herbert Alan Dutcher
(December 11, 1927 - July 30, 2022)

Herbert Alan Dutcher died Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Unity Point Hospice-Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa, from complications of interstitial lung disease. He was 94 years old.
Herb was born December 11, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Monroe and Elizabeth (Johnson) Dutcher. He had two older brothers, Lawrence and Don, and a twin brother, Phil. Herb attended Sabin Elementary where he began singing in a boys chorus in 4th grade. That experience was the beginning of Herb’s life-long love of singing. He also attended Warren Harding Jr. High and North High School, graduating in January of 1946. After graduation, Herb, along with his brother, Phil, enlisted in the United States Navy. Their basic training took place at the Naval Station Great Lakes, near Chicago. Herb developed scarlet fever, which led to rheumatic fever and he was sent to the naval hospital in Dublin, Georgia, for recovery. He was hospitalized for 6 months then finished his basic training in Maryland. He served on the USS Tucker and was honorably discharged in November 1947. Herb returned to Des Moines, attended Drake University, and worked at Dutcher and Son Stockyards. He joined the choir at the First Methodist Church and met an alto named Ruth Thomas, who sat in front of him. He told her, “Did you ever play football? You’ve got the broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen!” She was immediately smitten by the cute, young-looking blond guy. They were married February 3, 1951, in the Carlisle Methodist Church. Herb and Ruth settled in the Beaverdale area of Des Moines and had three daughters - Claudia, Janet, and Cyndi. Herb continued working at the stockyards then later at Firestone. The family moved to Centerville, Iowa, in 1958. The following year, their son Dean was born. While living in Centerville, Herb and Ruth had a weekly date night, attending choir practice together at the Methodist Church every Wednesday evening. The Dutchers moved to Osceola in 1962, where Herb was the charter president of the Osceola Jaycees. The family settled in Indianola in 1963, where Herb had a 30 year career in property and casualty insurance. Herb was also involved with the Evening Lions Club, Barbershop Harmony Society (for 20 years), Methodist Men, and Camp Wesley Woods. He and Ruth sang in the church choir, played in the handbell choir, and helped with Open Table meals. They enjoyed riding their tandem bicycle around town and in various parades. They also took many camping trips throughout the years. They attended Grandparent-Grandchild camp at Wesley Woods many times with their grandkids. Wonderful memories were made during those special times. Herb enjoyed traveling, beginning with trips as a young boy to New York, Washington DC, Cuba, Panama, and Costa Rica. He and Ruth took a cruise on the Great Lakes shortly after their marriage. They also had a memorable trip to Puerto Rico, a very special trip by rail to San Francisco with Herb’s brothers and their wives, as well as several trips to Florida to visit Cyndi and granddaughter, Angela. In 2009, Herb took an Honor Flight to Washington, DC, accompanied by Claudia, then went to New Orleans in 2018 with Janet to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Herb was an avid reader and enjoyed reading a variety of books, plus the Des Moines Register, National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, World War II Magazine, and Our Iowa. In moments of crisis, he could be found calmly reading the Reader’s Digest. He loved researching and learning all that he could about World War II.
Survivors include daughters Claudia (Joe) Tillman, Forest City; Janet (Allan Fuller) Dutcher, Urbandale; Cyndi Niemeyer, Port Charlotte, Florida; and son Dean (Leah Rolan) Dutcher, Indianola. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Marissa (Mike) Flugum, Katie (Adam) Krug, Maggie Tillman, Doug (Marie) Fuller, Elisabeth (Austin) Carnes, Angela (Dale Bucy) Niemeyer, and Casey (Mark) Gripp. Also surviving are13 great-grandchildren: Libbie, Emma, Christian, Kiera, Brooke, Dawson, Angelea, Barrett, Sterling, Lee, Jaedyn, Avrie, and Devyn; and many nieces and nephews. Herb was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, his parents, his three brothers and their wives, and his granddaughter, Ashley Dutcher. Herb’s family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Vintage Hills, Unity Point Hospice (especially his nurse, Tracie), and the staff at Taylor House for everything they did to care for and provide comfort for him. Their kindness to Herb is much appreciated. Services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola. Visitation will be held prior to services from 1 to 2 p.m., at the church. Inurnment will be in the Carlisle Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to one of the following: First United Methodist Church (Open Table - memo line), 307 W. Ashland, Indianola, Iowa 50125; Unity Point Hospice - Taylor House, 3401 E. Douglas Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50317; Friends of Iowa Public Television, P.O. Box 6400, Johnston, Iowa 50131. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]