Albert “Matt” Hutmacher
Colonel Albert “Matt” Hutmacher of 2030 SE Wilmar Drive, Quincy, died June 27, 2017 at the age of 76. He was born December 21, 1940 in Quincy, a son to Paul and Evelyn (Hollenstine) Hutmacher. He married Mary Heidbreder on December 29, 1967. They were blessed with two children, Matthew and Gretchen, whom Matt was very proud of.
Matt was a 1958 graduate of Quincy Notre Dame, attended Quincy University from 1958 to 1960, a 1962 graduate with honors of St. Louis University (Bachelor of Science), and he received a Juris Doctor from the School of Law at Northwestern University in 1965. He valued his education and was most fond of his time at SLU.
Matt served in the United States Army and Illinois Army National Guard. During the Vietnam War, he served 19 months in the United States and South Vietnam. He was stationed at Long Binh and Saigon with the 1st Signal Brigade and subsequently with the 126th Supply & Service Company (DS) National Guard Company at Chu Lai. Matt retired as Colonel after 26 years of service. In the spring of 2016, with his secretary as his Guardian, the 126th (also known as “The Hallmark Unit”) traveled together on the Great River Honor Flight. His love for the men in his unit was fierce. He never truly retired – he was always a proud soldier.
Matt led a quiet and respectable law practice that spanned 50 years. He partnered with many fine attorneys including the late Honorable Robert S. Hunter, James A. Rapp, the Honorable Thomas J. Ortbal, Bruce A. Alford and Terrence J. Anastas. Matt particularly enjoyed municipal law and drainage law. He served on the Ethics Committee of the Illinois Veteran’s Home and as a board member of the Lawyers Assistance Program. He was a recipient of the Liberty Bell Award and the Lawyer’s Assistance Program President’s Award. He was as a Delegate to the successful Illinois Constitutional Convention from the 58th District in 1969-1970 and was a Republican Precinct Committeeman for many years. He was a kind and gentle boss and cared greatly for his clients.
Matt and his son completed 2 Chicago marathons and also visited Germany together. During his time as an Assistant State’s Attorney, Matt met Jon Barnard. They became running partners; he was Matt’s best friend. He enjoyed gardening, having coffee with his Notre Dame classmates, and playing with his grandchildren. He loved fried chicken and cold beer. Matt was loyal, hard working and meticulous, proud yet humble. He was a gentleman who served his country and his community; he satisfied the need, true to the 126th Unit motto.
He is survived by his wife, Mary (Heidbreder) Hutmacher, their daughter, Gretchen (Mike) Witiw, his sister, Virginia (Bill) Reichert, and devoted secretary, Jessica (Kurtis) McCabe. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Martha Didriksen and Cheryl (Michael) Hulsen, and his daughter-in-law, Carrie Hutmacher. He will watch over six grandchildren, James and Ella Hutmacher, Clive and Benjamin Witiw, and Kooper and Marryn McCabe.
Matt was predeceased by his parents, his niece, Cory Lovelace, his brother-in-law, John Didriksen and his son, Matthew M. Hutmacher, who passed suddenly on May 3, 2017.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home from 3 pm – 5 pm.
The funeral will be Monday, July 3, 2017, beginning at 9:30 am at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home, services will continue at 10 am at St. Rose Catholic Church, and will conclude with a military burial at Woodland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to The Great River Honor Flight or St. Rose Catholic Church.
We have known Matt since high school,what a great guy,always a pleasure to stop and talk to when we would run into each other,a nice old friend. A true gentleman. JIm and Roseann Terwelp
I was very saddened to read of Mr. Hutmacher’s passing. I always enjoyed his visits when he would come to see one of the judges (I am the judges’ secretary with an office on the 3rd floor). He was so interesting to listen to. He was so proud of his family. I will truly miss his visits.
Dear Mary and Family – Our deepest sympathies to you and all of your loved ones. He was a great and kind man. Know that your family was blessed by a devoted husband and loving father.
Carol and Alan
So saddened to hear of Matt’s passing. He was a special person and went out of his way to meet my son and visit with him on the Honor Flight. He will be missed.
Dear Mary & Family, On behalf of the Bryan E Chapman family we send hugs and our condolences. Matt was a wonderful friend and a great lawyer. I will never forget his kind and caring demeanor when my father, Bryan E Chapman, passed away 2 years ago. He will always hold a special place in my families hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, Jessica, and his Law Firm partners during this difficult time.
Matt was not only “a nice guy” as expressed by many others; he was one of the finest men I have had the privilege of knowing and working with. As a lawyer, his word was always his bond. As a fellow Delegate representing the same 58th District in the successful Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1969, we often sought and valued each other’s ideas and positions – he a strong Republican and me an equally strong Democrat. I understand we voted on the same side of more issues than any other two such politically divided delegates in the other 57 districts.
Dear Mrs. Hutmacher,
I met Matt at St. Rose when he joined, a faithful member every Sunday at 8am mass, I shook his hand every Sunday, the last was the Sunday before his stroke. Fred Bloss was so nice to drive him to mass too. Matt was a very kind man and a true gentleman too. I sure will miss him, and I will come up for the funeral to met you too. God Bless you and the family,
Paul
Mary Lou and I were sad to hear of Matt’s death. He was such a nice guy. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.