In memory of Artist Richard Dutton, 82, of Hallsville, Missouri. Richard left us February 14th, 2022.
Richard Dutton
“Talk about a people person, Richard was one of a kind,” said Rick Jey.
Richard Dutton’s artistic beginnings can be traced back to his college days where, as a pre-med student, he took an art class to fill an elective in his schedule. “The art course changed my direction in life,” Richard said later. After graduation, he taught art in public schools. Richard founded and taught for 35 years at the Department of Performing and Visual Arts at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, which he chaired.
Richard Dutton includes influences in his artwork from his rural background of growing up near Bethel, Missouri, and his travels around the globe, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with his wife Karen. The history and culture of each place they visited was visible in his work.
Dutton’s artwork is held in several art collections at banks and businesses, as well as private collections. Some of his pieces can be seen at the Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa, the Hy-Vee Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Bruce and Barabara Feldacker “Labor Collection” at the Mercantile Library and Art Museum and at the University of Missouri in St. Louis.
For many years Richard has enjoyed painting “en plein air” throughout the Midwest. He was a member of this close-knit artist community and was well-liked and respected by his peers. His work has earned him numerous awards and many of his watercolors were purchased during plein air events.
He will truly be missed by his wife Karen, children, grandchildren, and many friends.
Memorials may be made to the Cherry Box cemetery where he is buried, Northeast Missouri Feed Bank, and the Orr Street Studios Education Fund. Memorials are being handled by the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 408 East Morgan St. Edina, MO 63537. A memorial service was held at Orr Studios on February 22, 2022.
—Compiled by Daniel Fishback and Mary Drastal
Watercolor by Richard Dutton