Dad was born on August 30, 1923 to Mary Chutter, owner of a private girls school in North Vancouver and Gordon Chutter, Managing Director of Wright's Wire Ropes located in what we know now as the Granville Island Market. From an early age Dad was drawn to the outdoors whether it be going by union steamship to the family summer retreat at Langdale (Hopkins Landing at the time) or to the Indian Gardens Ranch near Savona, B.C. Following Point Grey and Magee High School, Dad spent one year at UBC in agriculture before transferring into engineering. Best remembered for swallowing a live goldfish at a UBC fundraiser, Dad was an avid Beta Theta Pi member and rugby player.

In 1951 Dad married Doreen Tener, his best friend for the next 61 years. The family grew with the addition of Geoff ('52), David ('54) and Kathleen ('57). Dad was the first non-French engineer hired by Lafarge Cement and rose through the ranks to Plant Manager at the Richmond facility. The family moved to head office in Paris, France where we lived between 1966 and 1969. What an experience...school trips to the capitals of Europe, skiing in the alps, what a family rich time. After returning to Vancouver for a year, the family moved to Toronto until Dad retired in pursuit of his passion. In 1977 he, along with son David, purchased the 16,000 acre Chutter Ranch near Merritt, B.C. The ranch provided a superb backdrop for his children, 13 grandchildren and friends to spend cherished time together.

Dad was always an avid gardener and woodwork expert. We all have tables, chairs, trays, cribs or paddles hand-crafted by Dad. Every fall Dad would gather up his surplus vegetable produce and deliver it to the Merritt food bank. Mom and Dad's thirst for adventure was made easier when Dad was hired by son Geoff to supervise the installation of giant surf pool equipment in Sun City, South Africa; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Taichung, Taiwan. Dad only slowed down this past year as his 17 years of living with prostate cancer drew to a close.

Dad was a natural teacher to all he met and was keenly interested in what opportunities life offered each of his children, grandchildren and friends. He always placed others first and was never short of a story, whether it had been heard before or not. This Christmas was a magical time as the family celebrated the season together with Dad.

Dad slipped away on January 2. He was predeceased by his siblings Philip, Peter and Pat and is lovingly remembered by wife Doreen; son Geoff (Erin), Paul, Beth and Ben; son David (Sue), Kerry (fiancée Paul), Stuart, Julie, Emily, Brant and Luke; and daughter Kathleen (Bob Haywood-Farmer), Eric (Kristie) and great grand-daughter Cheyenne), Jane (Ross and great grand-daughter Lucy born December 27),Ted and Mark.

A Celebration of Dad's life will be held on January 7, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart Church, 2326 Jackson, Merritt.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Primate's World Relief Fund or the Merritt Food Bank.