T. Court Hutchinson, 88, died on March 18 at the University Medical Center at Princeton
By Dick Willever, Lynne Cullinane and Lorraine Coryell
T. Court Hutchinson, 88, died on March 18 at the University Medical Center at Princeton.
In the memories of his family and friends, his colleagues and students, however, “Hutch,” as he was known, will live on for a very long time.
At a conservative estimate, in 40 years of teaching English at Hopewell Valley Central High School, Mr. Hutchinson touched the lives of about 6,000 students. He introduced Advanced Placement English literature to CHS for seniors. He taught almost every elective course in the English Department and most of the required ones. He brought to life Hamlet and Mr. Roberts with equal flair and vivid color. He mentored beginning teachers, and sometimes seasoned ones, as well as his students. Mr. Hutchinson was the unofficial dean of the CHS faculty and his classroom, Room 218, was the hub of the school.
Beyond the walls of Room 218, Mr. Hutchinson introduced and coached the CHS Forensics Club, which — under his direction — became one of the strongest debate clubs in the National Forensics League’s Middle Atlantic division. His debaters won awards and championships year after year. But more importantly for Mr. Hutchinson, they learned to think fast and logically on their feet and to argue persuasively from fact and with passion.
Mr. Hutchinson also brought the American Field Service (AFS) student exchange program to CHS. For decades the high school’s AFS club sent our students abroad for a semester or a year and welcomed foreign students to the school and our community. For many students and their families, these were life-changing experiences.
From 1948 to 1988, Mr. Hutchinson helped shape the lives of his students. Their words recall him most exactly: “He was the first teacher I had who treated us like adults. He treated me like I was somebody. He prepared us to be adults. He taught me to think. He was a unique individual and a quintessential teacher. He knew how to motivate students to achieve more than they ever thought possible. He was one of a kind, an independent spirit. He watched us grow up and retained an interest in our lives far beyond our graduation. What more could anyone want from a teacher?”
Though Hutch is no longer present among us, his legacy is alive in the memories of all who loved him, learned from him, and were privileged to share a part of his life. The world will be just a little dimmer without him.

