[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2037-E2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE PASSING OF ``MR. WINCHESTER,'' BEN DUTTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2011

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I share with the House today the sad news of 
the passing of iconic Winchester, Virginia, native, Benjamin Dutton, 
Jr., 86. Known as ``Mr. Winchester,'' Ben died November 9 at his home 
with his wife Jean, fondly called ``Whip,'' at his side.
  A man of honor and the highest moral character, Ben was one of the 
finest Virginia gentlemen that I have ever known.
  After Whip and their three daughters and their families, Ben's 
lifelong love was Winchester and especially the annual Shenandoah Apple 
Blossom Festival. He was one of the festival's longest serving 
contributors, holding positions of executive director, president, and 
board member. Ben continued to be involved in ``the Bloom'' up until 
his passing.
  The son of the late Dr. Benjamin and Ann Dutton, Ben attended 
Winchester public schools, graduating from Handley High School in 1943. 
He served his country in the U.S. Army infantry from 1943-46 and 
afterward attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, 
receiving an A.B. degree in 1950. After college, he began a career in 
the insurance industry, serving as an agent in Louisiana and Roanoke, 
Virginia, from 1951-63. But the tug of his native city brought him back 
to Winchester in 1963 and he became associated with J.V. Arthur Inc. as 
a vice president and partner, retiring from there in 1987.
  Never one to sit idly, Ben soon found a second career as a public 
servant. He first served as the field representative in the Winchester 
office of our former colleague, the late D. French Slaughter Jr., who 
represented Winchester and Frederick and Clarke counties until 1991 
when the area was part of the 7th Congressional District, and later 
served in the same position for George Allen, who succeeded Congressman 
Slaughter for a year before his successful election as governor of 
Virginia. When redistricting in 1992 brought that area of Virginia into 
the 10th District, I was proud that Ben became a member of my 
constituent services staff in my Winchester office, serving for 15 
years until his retirement in 2010.
  Ben was a ``people'' person. When you met Ben, you became his friend 
for life. He had a warm and infectious smile and always made time for 
anyone who crossed his path. His foremost motivation in life was 
helping people and thousands of residents of Winchester and the 
surrounding area can attest to his servant's heart.
  Ben also was a ``doer.'' He was involved throughout his long life in 
city government and numerous civic and community organizations. Among 
his citations of public recognition were the Outstanding Citizen Award 
from the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and the 
President's Award for Community Service from Shenandoah University. I 
will submit for the Record, Ben's obituary from the Winchester Star, 
which includes greater detail on Ben's illustrious life.
  Ben truly fulfilled in his life the biblical praise: ``Well done, 
good and faithful servant.'' We are all better for having had the honor 
of knowing Ben and calling him our friend.
  To Whip, his wife of 59 years, and their daughters Fay, Virginia, and 
Whipple, and their families, I express on behalf of the people of the 
10th District our heartfelt sympathy and also our gratitude to you for 
sharing Ben with us.

                      Benjamin Blanton Dutton, Jr.

       Benjamin Blanton Dutton, Jr., 86, died on Wednesday. 
     November 9, 2011, in his home in Winchester, Virginia.
       Mr. Dutton was born in 1925, in Winchester, Virginia, the 
     son of the late Dr. Benjamin and Ann Dutton. He attended 
     Winchester Public Schools and graduated from Handley High 
     School, Class of 1943. Mr. Dutton served in the United States 
     Army, in the Infantry, from 1943-1946 achieving the rank of 
     Sergeant. He attended University of Virginia in 
     Charlottesville, Virginia where he received, an A.B. Degree 
     in 1950. He was employed by Hartford Fires Insurance Company 
     from 1951-1963 and served as Special Agent for The Hartford 
     in Louisiana and Roanoke, Virginia.
       Mr. Dutton returned to Winchester in 1963 to become 
     associated with J. V. Arthur, Inc., as a Vice President and 
     partner, remaining in that position until his retirement in 
     June 1987. He was employed by Congressman D. French 
     Slaughter, Jr., as Field Representative in the Winchester, 
     Virginia office and served in that capacity until Mr. 
     Slaughter's resignation in November 1991. Mr. Dutton 
     continued as a Field Representative for Congressman George 
     Allen during his tenure In congress, from November 1991 until 
     December 1992. Mr. Dutton then became the Field 
     Representative for Congressman Frank R. Wolf from January, 
     1993 until April, 1995.
       He served as Executive Director of the Shenandoah Apple 
     Blossom Festival from April 1995 until July 1997 and was then 
     rehired by Congressman Wolf as a Field Representative in 
     July, 1997 until his retirement in 2010.
       Mr. Dutton was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in 
     Winchester, a member of the Winchester Rotary from 1963 to 
     present and served on the Board of Directors several times as 
     well as Secretary and Treasurer. He was active in the 
     Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival since childhood and was 
     President of the festival in 1970, 1971, and 1972. He 
     volunteered as Executive Director in 1972 and currently is on 
     the Festival Board of Directors. Mr. Dutton was a two term 
     President of the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of 
     Commerce, member of the Winchester Common Council for three 
     terms, from 1966-1978, Winchester Parking Authority from 
     1966-1990 and Chairman 1980-1990; Winchester Transportation 
     Safety Commission from 1968-1988. In addition he was a member 
     of and Secretary-Treasurer of the Winchester Regional Airport 
     Authority from 1987-1994; and served as Past Chairman of the 
     Salvation Army Advisory Board.
       Mr. Dutton was an Honorary member of the Winchester Medical 
     Center Board; a licensed Amateur Radio operator and was 
     licensed as a Glider Pilot.
       His Virginia State activities include past chairman, State 
     Insurance Board, Commonwealth of Virginia; past member, State 
     Fire Services Commission, Commonwealth of Virginia; Past 
     President, Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia, Inc.; 
     past member, Board of Directors, Virginia Financial Services 
     Corporation and past member, Regional Economic Development 
     Advisory Council for District 5, Commonwealth of Virginia.
       He was Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents 
     of Winchester, Inc.; a member of the Board of Directors 
     Emeritus and the Wayside Theatre, Middletown, Virginia from 
     1976-1979; and currently a member of the Corporation of 
     Valley Health System, Inc and current member of the Advisory 
     Committee of the Institute for Government and Public Policy 
     at Shenandoah University.
       Mr. Dutton was awarded the Honorable Order of Kentucky 
     Colonels in 1970; Outstanding Citizen Award, Winchester-
     Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, 1975; Rotary 
     International Paul Harris Fellow; Winchester-Frederick County 
     Chamber of Commerce Transportation Award, 1992, and 
     Presidents Award for Community Service (Shenandoah 
     University), 2002.
       He married Jean Rogers Whipple on June 14, 1952, in Vienna, 
     Georgia.

[[Page E2038]]

       Surviving with his wife of 59 years, are three daughters, 
     Fay Dutton and her husband, Jim Moyer, Virginia Dutton, and 
     Whipple Rickman and her husband, Glen; and one grandson, 
     Benjamin Rickman.
       A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on 
     Saturday, in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Winchester, Virginia, 
     with Reverend Webster Gibson officiating.
       Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Edge Hospice, 
     333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601.
       Arrangements are being handled by Omps Funeral Home, 
     Amherst Chapel, Winchester, Virginia.
       Please view obituaries and tribute wall at 
     www.ompsfuneralhome.com.

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