The Queen’s community is remembering Bruce Hutchinson, who served in various leadership roles during his time at the university, including executive director of Insect Biotech (1990 - 1994); director of Research Services (1995-2000); associate vice-principal (research) (2000-2004); and acting principal of Queen's Theological College (January-June 2006), which is now the School of Religion. He was a dedicated champion of the university and the broader community – serving The United Church of Canada and many local organizations including leading a team to oversee the successful rebranding of The Spire as an arts and community hub. His remarkable contributions to Queen's University were recognized in 2003 with a Distinguished Service Award.  His colleagues remember him as a supportive and thoughtful leader who nurtured talent and embraced change.

Kerry Rowe, Barrington Batchelor Distinguished University Professor and former vice-principal (research), recalls the impact Dr. Hutchinson had during his time as associate vice-principal (research).

“Bruce will be greatly missed. With his unique combination of charm, good sense, and his ability to get people to work together, Bruce made things happen!” says Dr. Rowe. “He had an amazing ability to tell people they were wrong with a smile on his face and then get them to agree they were wrong and change their position to the one he was advocating. He was a source of invaluable advice during our time working together when I was VPR. He will be greatly missed by all those with whom he had significant interactions."

Professor Emeritus Tom Harris, who served as vice-principal (advancement) and interim provost and vice-principal (academic), notes Dr. Hutchinson’s indelible impact on the research environment at Queen’s.

“He brought an external perspective to Research Services' work supporting faculty research at a time when the research funding landscape changed dramatically with the Government of Canada's creation of the Canada Foundation for Innovation,” says Dr. Harris. “Bruce pursued all of his activities with an unwavering commitment to excellence, a quiet but persistent leadership style, and a genuine joy in seeing the success of others.”

Former head of the Department of Family Medicine, Ruth Wilson, recalls Bruce's help navigating administrative challenges with a large contract from the Canadian International Development Agency – a project that would help establish a family medicine service in Bosnia immediately after the war.

"Years later,” says Dr. Wilson, “I thanked him for being so kind to me and he said 'I knew you were trying to do something good and I wanted to support you'."

Dr. Hutchinson stepped out of retirement to take on his final leadership role at Queen’s when he served as acting principal of Queen’s Theological College in 2006. Jean Stairs, former principal of Queen's Theological College and the School of Religion (2001-2011) remembers the enthusiasm with which he took on the role.

"When my sabbatical was approved in 2006 we had to find someone who had the strategic skills, personality, and competence to serve as the interim principal,” says Dr. Stairs. “Bruce immediately came to mind and accepted the invitation. He was 'the right person at the right time' and with the right skills for managing the college's varied relationships with Queen's, The United Church of Canada, the Lilly Foundation (a significant grant provider), individual donors, Board of Management, faculty, students and staff."

A family obituary is available online.