Dr. William Hutchinson, Founder Of Research Centers, Dies In Seattle Surgeon’s Vision, Drive Set Standard For Cancer Research

Dr. William B. Hutchinson, a surgeon who founded two leading Seattle-based health institutions - the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation - has died. He was 88.

Hutchinson died Sunday at his home. He had suffered several strokes and congestive heart failure in recent months, the center said.

Hutchinson founded the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation in 1955, serving as its president and director until his retirement in 1996. The foundation is a private, nonprofit medical research group that helps physicians and scientists apply basic research on human disease to clinical treatments.

In 1965, he began efforts to establish the Hutchinson Center as a memorial to his younger brother Fred, a professional baseball player and manager who died of lung cancer the previous year.

The Hutchinson Center, which opened in 1975, is recognized internationally for its pioneering work in bone-marrow transplantation.

Hutchinson served as the center’s first director through 1981 and its first president through 1985.

“Bill Hutchinson’s vision, drive and commitment gave birth to this institution 22 years ago and set its standard for excellence in cancer research,” said Dr. Lee Hartwell, president and director of the Hutchinson Center.

“We are deeply indebted to him.”

Dr. Paul Robertson, chief executive officer and scientific director of the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation, called Hutchinson “a giant of a man.”

“His legacy to Seattle and the world is an incredibly strong base for research development,” Robertson said.

“At the same time, he was the classic family doctor whose patients will always remember him as strong, hard-working and responsive to their needs.”

Hutchinson practiced surgery for four decades at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.

He served on the Yarborough Committee that helped write the National Cancer Act in 1971.

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Hutchinson of Seattle; sons William Hutchinson Jr. of Pacific Palisades, Calif., John Hutchinson of Boise, Idaho, and Dr. Stuart Hutchinson of Santa Barbara, Calif.; daughters Charlotte Hutchinson Reed of Seattle, and Mary Wiese of Mill Valley, Calif.; and 15 grandchildren.

A private funeral service for family and friends is scheduled for Thursday. A public memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.