Rev. Peter B. Hutton

The Reverend Peter B. Hutton passed peacefully into heaven at age 97 on July 5, 2024, while under hospice care and the loving support of his family. He lived with an effortless joyful and loving heart and touched many lives along his life’s journey. Dad was affectionately known to many as ‘Saint Pete.’ Peter was the first of 6 children born to Wallace and Helen Hutton and was raised on the beautiful Hutton family farm in Harmony, Minnesota. He was raised with a love of faith, music, and fellowship, and a wonderful sense of Minnesota humor. He began to feel a call to the ministry while in high school, but first attended the University of Minnesota earning a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation he went on to attend Dubuque Theological Seminary where he met his future wife, Barbara Yoder. While waiting tables at the university commons, rather than return an extra piece of pie to the kitchen Barbara gave it to a hungry young seminarian. Peter assumed it was because she liked him, and a romance blossomed. Both Peter and Barbara graduated from Dubuque in 1954, he with a Master of Divinity, and they were married the following weekend in Williamsburg, Iowa. Two weeks later Peter was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister at his home church, Richland Prairie Scotland Church in the countryside of southeastern Minnesota. After several pastorates in Wisconsin, and one in Grandview, Washington, where daughters Elizabeth and Julie arrived, the Hutton’s moved to Corvallis, Oregon in 1966 to serve Calvin Presbyterian Church until Peter’s retirement in 1987. He then served as interim pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Eugene, and later received an invitation from John Dennis, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis, to join the staff part-time to temporarily fill a position left by an associate pastor. The assignment was intended to last only a few months, but Peter’s formal staff association continued for another 15 years, after which he continued to perform visitations and bible studies. Peter and Barbara remained dedicated members of First Presbyterian ever since. Peter had a love of service to others, and in addition to his pastorship he actively participated and held leadership roles in many organizations throughout his life - including the Presbytery Ministerial Association, Rotary, Children’s Farm Home, Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, VORP, 4H and Future Farmer’s of America. Dad’s love of music followed him through his life, first as an accomplished clarinet player in high school and college, and then with the guitar. He formed several lighthearted ensemble groups, the first of which was ‘Joe Banana and the Bunch’ with his Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brothers at the University of Minnesota. They had a playbook of fun hearted songs and would perform at parties for extra college money. Later he formed ‘The Old Crusty Minstrels’ with his fellow ministry brothers. He was always more than happy to grab his guitar and sing along to playful tunes for anyone who would ask. Dad also enjoyed studying human history and the genealogy of his family. He traveled to Scotland and Israel with his Father, and Scandinavia, Greece, and Great Britain with Barbara. Peter and Barbara enjoyed exploring the United States and traveled to nearly every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, and made many trips to the Midwest to be with family. Peter loved gardening and turned his backyard into a vegetable farm, always squeezing in another tomato plant whenever possible. He grew beautiful vegetables and fruits every year and shared his abundant surplus with neighbors and the community food pantry. Another joy of Dad’s was playing a good game of golf with friends. First Presbyterian Church named a golf tournament after him called the ‘PHIGS,’ which was held annually for many years and was great fun. He also scored a hole-in-one at the then Albany Golf Club, and always got a large smile when asked about it. Peter was preceded to heaven by his wife of 69 years, Barbara Hutton, on February 5, 2023, his parents, and sister Patricia Ille. He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Hutton and Julie Hutton Gonzalez, son in-law Ramon Gonzalez, brothers Daniel Hutton (wife Arla) and Robert Hutton (wife Lynn), sisters Naomi Evensen and Donis McCallum, as well as 14 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews. He was a deeply beloved father, brother, uncle, cousin, pastor and friend, and even with his failing memory he was dedicated to being of service to others. Remaining social and helping others however he could gave him joy and purpose, and we miss him every day. We want to thank Lumina and the loving hospice care given by Shirley, Ashley, Nora and Teresa, as well as Dad’s loving caregivers at Stonybrook and Willamette Springs A Celebration of Life for Peter and Barbara Hutton will be held at 11:00 a.m., August 17th at First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW 8th St., Corvallis, Oregon. Graveside services will take place at Richland Prairie Scotland Church in Harmony, Minnesota on a later date yet to be finalized. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ‘Peter and Barbara Hutton Scholarship Fund’ at the Benton County Foundation (bcfgives.org), or to the Presbyterian Hunger Program (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/compassion-peace-justice/hunger/)

Rev. Peter B. Hutton

January 8, 1927 - July 5, 2024