By Sephora Charles
OCEAN RIDGE — Town Commissioner Dave Hutchins, a longtime commercial airline pilot who devoted the past decade of his retirement to serving his adopted town, died on May 18. He was 78.
Mr. Hutchins was first appointed as an alternate to the Ocean Ridge Planning and Zoning Commission in 2015 and elevated to full voting membership in 2017. He remained on that board until 2024, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Town Commission. He subsequently won election to that unexpired term in March 2024 and was elected without opposition to a full term this year.
“Commissioner Dave Hutchins served Ocean Ridge with dedication, professionalism and a sincere commitment to the community,” Mayor Geoff Pugh said in a statement.
David Allen Hutchins was born March 31, 1948, the son of Edward and Marjorie Hutchins. He grew up in Falls Church, Virginia, and lived there until, when he was a teen, his family moved to Northglenn, Colorado. He had two brothers, John Milton and Mark Edward.
Airplanes and flying were in Mr. Hutchins’ blood. His father was an aircraft mechanic, flight engineer, flight operations instructor and licensed pilot over his career, while his mother also worked for an airline.
Mr. Hutchins received an associate degree in flight technology from Purdue University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Colorado.
He served in the Colorado Air National Guard from 1970 to 1976. He made flying his career, working for 40 years as a commercial pilot captain — from 1973 to 2013 — for U.S. Airways/American Airlines.
Mr. Hutchins and his wife, Donna, who survives him, moved to Ocean Ridge in August 1990.
“We can’t visualize living anywhere else,” Mr. Hutchins said in his 2023 Town Commission application. He was an avid angler who enjoyed being out on his boat on the ocean with friends.
When seeking appointment to the Town Commission, Mr. Hutchins expressed his passion for making changes that would improve the quality of residents’ lives — and the town.
“His willingness to serve and continued commitment to the community reflected deep care for the town and its residents,” Town Manager Michelle Heiser said. “His kindness to each individual working within Town Hall or the Ocean Ridge Police Department, coupled with his genuine care and respect for those who served the community, left a lasting impression on the organization and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.”
Outside of work, Mr. Hutchins was known in the community for walking his dog, Bandit, every morning and socializing with others.
“He was a good man, sweetheart of a guy,” Terry Brown, an Ocean Ridge resident and former town commissioner, said during the June 1 Town Commission meeting.
Resident Rick Carey shared the same sentiment about Mr. Hutchins. “He’s a man of great integrity and respect,” he said. “I’m feeling a great deal of personal loss.”
During the commission meeting, Pugh said he met Mr. Hutchins 32 years ago while moving into his Ocean Ridge home. Mr. Hutchins immediately shook his hand and said, “Welcome, neighbor.”
“That gives you all you need to know about Dave Hutchins,” Pugh said.
Mr. Hutchins had been in declining health in recent years but continued with his civic responsibilities. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
The town plans to have a memorial for Mr. Hutchins at Town Hall in a month or two. No other arrangements were available as of June 2.
“We will all miss him as a true, and loyal, friend,” Pugh said.
Larry Barszewski contributed to this obituary.
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