Evening star., 1945-03-25
DR.. George Hutchison.
National Geographic
Secretary, Dies

DR.. George w. Hutchison, So, of
1905 Lowell lane NV, who had
been associated with the National
Geographic Society for the last 38
years and became its secretary in
1888. died yesterday in Sibley Me-
mortal Hospital after an illness of
two weeks.
DR.. Hutchinson began his associa-
ton with the National Geographic
Society in 1907, and much of its
growth from 81 900 members then to
worldwide membership of 1885,
600 is credited to his keen organiza-
tional ability.
When he joined the staff the So
ciety had just moved from one
room Office in the old Corcoran
Building, on the present site of the
Washington Hotel, to Hubbard Hall,
nucleus of the headquarters build
ings at Sixteenth and M streets
NV.
DR.. Gilbert Grosvenor, president
of the society, recognized his busi-
ness ability and two years after his
employment he was made assistant
secretary. He became associate sec
retary in 1919 and secretary in 1888.
He also was life member of the
society's board of trustees.
Came Here in Youth.
Born in Scranton, Pa, November
81, 1886, he was educated in the
public schools there. He came to
Washington as young man and
lived at the Lowell lane address.
Although the detail of the secre-
tary's Office required most of DR..
Hutchison's time and thought, he
was an enthusiastic supporter of
the society's scientific expeditions
and educational program. For his
achievements in the society's work
the South Dakota School of Mines
conferred on him the degree of
doctor of humanities.
DR.. Grosvenor said his death was
a great personal loss" and added
that thousands of members who
knew him through their years of
association with the society would
miss the efficient and genial Sec
retary.
Describing DR.. Hutchison as '.in-
defatigable, unselfish and intelli-
gent" DR.. Grosvenor said he was
ever vigilant and alert for any me-
chanical or human improvement
that would advance the society S
interests.
HE was always watchful for any
trespass on the society's rights, te-
nacious, straightforward and pru-
dent, yet he was always a cheerful,
genial, cordial, sympathetic and wise
friend whose counsel every one of
his fellow workers sought when per-
plexed," DR.. Grasvenor added.
Travelled in Many Lands.
DR.. Hutchison was widely travelled,
the business of the society have
taken him to many parts of the
world. He visited England and the
continent of Europe on many occa-
sions and also had Travelled to Aus
tralia. New Zealand, Hawaii and the
Fiji Islands.
He was an ardent sportsman and
with a small group of friends was
a member of hunting club on the
Potomac River below Washington
for many years.
He was member of the Advisory
Board of the Riggs National Bank,
a director of the Air Power League.
a board member of Sibley Hospital
and also f1eld membership in the
University, Columbia Country and
Chevy Chase Clubs of Washington.
He is survived by his widow, the
former Rose Aurelia Brooke, a
daughter, Miss Aurelia Hutchinson,
who is with the Red Cross, at Boca
Ration Field. Fla, and a son, 1t.
John G. Hutchison, Army Air
Forces, stationed at Culver City,
Calf.
Funeral services will be held at 2
pm. Tuesday at the Hines funeral
home, 29o1 Fourteenth street NV.
Burial will be in Rock Creek Gene
terry.