It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of George Richard (Dick) McNutt on 7 January 2023 at 90 years of age. Dick was a dedicated and beloved member of the local Williamsburg, VA community since 1974.
Dick was born in Belle Valley, Ohio in 1933 to Harry Reeves McNutt and Neva Beatrice McNutt (née Colley). He grew up in Toledo as an only child who was deeply loved by his parents.
Dick earned BA in journalism from the University of Toledo in 1956 and received a direct commission as a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. After entering the Army as a Signal Officer, Dick soon transitioned to the Aviation Corps, where he earned qualifications as a fixed wing and rotary wing pilot. During a distinguished active duty career that spanned 22 years, Dick survived four combat deployments to Vietnam and earned numerous awards and recognitions for service, heroism and valor, including the Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters and ‘V’ device, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Soldier’s Medal, Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. He also earned the Master Army Aviator Badge, was an instructor in the Army Aviation Tactics Course. Dick retired from the Army on 31 October 1978 as the Commander of the Experimental Aviation Wing at Fort Eustis, VA. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Dick earned a second degree from Saint Leo College in Real Estate and went on to become the York County Assessor, a position from which he retired on 30 June 2002.
Dick met Captain Kathleen Mae McNutt (née Motichka) in Vietnam in 1967. Dick and Kathleen were married on 14 September 1969 and shared a loving partnership until Kathleen passed away in 2006. Together, they raised two children: Dr. Patrick Michael McNutt and Kevin James McNutt. Dick was also the father of Stacey Collier Cain III from a previous marriage.
Dick inherited a lifelong passion for amateur radio from his father and first earned his amateur radio license in the late 1940s. After retiring in 2002, Dick dedicated his free time to supporting the Military Auxiliary Radio System, which engages amateur radio enthusiasts to augment or sustain regional communications during times of war or natural disaster. He was a deeply faithful man, regularly attending mass at Saint Bede Catholic Church before joining Saint Olaf Catholic Church in the early 2000s. He was a talented photographer who documented his life and love through tens of thousands of photographs. Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman, and some of his favorite times were spent on the water or in the woods. True to his roots, he loved all things Irish, including Notre Dame football, Irish coffee and Guinness. Despite his awful Irish accent, a highlight of Dick’s life was a trip he and Kathleen made to Ireland in 2003. Finally, above all else, Dick was a dedicated father who was always available to celebrate or commiserate with his children.
Dick is survived by his children Patrick McNutt, Kevin McNutt and Stacey Cain; their spouses Brittany, Leigh and Chap (respectively); his grandchildren Indigo McNutt, Savannah McNutt, Dalton McNutt, Ashley Cain Land and her husband Cody, Whitney Shaw, Shelby Buchhorn and her husband Wayne, and Courtney Fregia and her husband Cody; and great-grandchildren Brayden, Bo, Ellisyn, Chapley, Carsyn, Everli and Madisyn.
Dick’s life was a testament to his values of integrity, determination, and dedication. He served his country, his community and his faith with honor and distinction, and he was a far better father, husband, colleague, and friend than he knew. He was a touchstone for many of us and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held at Saint Olaf Catholic Church (104 Norge Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23188), on 27 January. The visitation will start at 10 a.m., followed by a special mass at 11 a.m. and interment in the Saint Olaf Columbarium. The family invites all who knew Dick to join in honoring his memory.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Saint Olaf Catholic Church in Williamsburg and Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
