Stanley Philip Hutchison 1923-2016
Stanley Philip Hutchison, 92, passed away peacefully, comforted by his family, on October 18, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Hutchison enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a business and civic leader. He was born in Joliet, Illinois on November 22, 1923, the first son of Verna Emma and Philip Stuart Hutchison. His early life was spent in Springfield, Illinois. He attended Knox College (Galesburg, Illinois), where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. During WWII, he served as a Lieutenant JG in the US Navy. Following his military service, he finished his undergraduate work at Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois) and received his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law/Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, Illinois) where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi, the International Legal Honor Society.
Mr. Hutchison was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1951 while still attending law school. He was first employed in the legal department of Washington National Insurance Company (Evanston, Illinois). He later became the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Hutchison also served as President of Washington National Corporation (1970-1983), Chief Executive Officer (1978-1988), and Chairman of the Board (1983-1988). Under his leadership, the corporation saw significant diversification and expansion. With acquisition of a number of subsidiaries including Anchor National Life Insurance Company and Anchor National Financial Services, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona, it became the city of Evanston's second billionaire corporation and was among the 500 largest firms in the US in terms of assets.
Mr. Hutchison's commitment to industry included service as President of the Illinois Life Insurance Council and Chairman of the Health Insurance Association of America. He was active in community life, sitting on the Advisory Council of Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois) and on the Board of Directors of Evanston Hospital Corporation. An avid golfer, he moved to Carefree, Arizona upon his retirement in 1988. He and his wife more recently became residents of Vi at Grayhawk, in Scottsdale, where Mr. Hutchison served as President of the Grayhawk Classic Residents' Foundation which supports community education.
Mr. Hutchison was preceded in death by his brothers Leroy and Richard Hutchison. He will be greatly missed by his loving and devoted wife of 71 years, Helen (formerly Helen Jane Rush); son, Norman R. Hutchison, MD (wife Margaret); daughter, Elizabeth Bernard (husband Robert); two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Plans for a memorial service will be announced. Anyone wishing to honor Mr. Hutchison's memory may make a donation in his name to Heartland Humane Society, 314 Fox Sauk Road, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501, or to Grayhawk Classic Residents' Foundation, 7501 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255.