“Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play!”
Hobart B. Hutchins enjoyed nothing more than a good game, be it sports, cards or board games, and now he is playing in heaven. Hobe passed away on March 21, 2015 with his children by his side at his residence in Franklin, TN. He moved to Franklin from Towanda, PA in 2012. He was 88 years old.
Born in Waymart, PA on February 17, 1927, he was the son of Burton H. and Minnie Bucklish Hutchins. Hobe graduated from Waymart High School, East Stroudsburg State Teacher’s College (BSE) and the University of Scranton (ME). He served with the 88th Blue Devil Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in Italy during WWII.
Hobe’s first job was at the age of five when he delivered newspapers in order to pay for a life insurance policy his father had purchased. He later began his 36 year education and coaching career at Northeast Bradford High School, where he led his baseball and basketball teams to a combined 13 championships. Hobe later continued his career at Wyalusing Valley High School until his retirement in 1990. He was also well known in the area as a baseball umpire, basketball referee, and high school and college soccer official. In 2002 Hobe was inducted into the East Stroudsburg University Athletic Hall of Fame, where he was a four year starter in both baseball and soccer. He was also a member of the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame. Hobe remained active throughout his entire life, traveling to Florida for baseball spring training games during his retirement, and continued roller and ice skating into his 80s.
Hobe was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Pennsylvania State Education Association, American Legion, VFW, and the First United Methodist Church in Towanda.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Hobe is survived by son: Kristopher (Pam) Hutchins of Canal Winchester, OH; daughter: Robin (Tim) Barrett of Franklin, TN; grandchildren: Kyle, Allison, Brady and Brandon Hutchins, and Kaitlyn and Abigail Barrett; sisters-in-law: Jo Anne Anderson and Joan Hutchins; and several nieces and nephews.
In November, Hobe was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 57 years: Mary Lu Anderson Hutchins. Prior to that were brothers: Wilson, Jake, Turk and identical twin Buck Hutchins; sister: Alice Allen; and brother-in-law: Jim Anderson.
Interment with full military honors will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at a later date convenient to the family.
Donations in Hobe’s memory may be made to the American Legion Post 42, Towanda, PA.
NASHVILLE FUNERAL AND CREMATION 615-256-1605
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