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2015 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 300
Celebrating the life of Laurence R. Dutton.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 27, 2015

 

WHEREAS, Laurence R. Dutton of Chesapeake, who had a long and distinguished civilian career at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and who was a veteran of the United States Army, a man of faith, and a devoted husband and father, died on February 19, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Dutton was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and was raised in Concord, Massachusetts, and Carlisle, Massachusetts; he attended Harvard University and Northeastern University and then had various jobs before joining the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Dutton spent three years as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division; after he completed his military service, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; and

WHEREAS, in 1963, Laurence Dutton started working at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Nuclear Power Division, beginning a career as a civilian employee of the United States Navy that spanned more than 46 years; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Dutton held various positions of increasing responsibility at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and in 1973, he was named chief design engineer; in that role, he was known for his technical abilities and hands-on leadership and for ensuring that his division provided responsive, high-quality waterfront support; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as head of the design division at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Laurence Dutton developed several innovative practices, including the Planning Yard and Ship Alteration Improvement Programs and an on-site waterfront engineering support organization; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Dutton received many awards and accolades during his career, including the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest award given to a civilian employee; and

WHEREAS, the American Society of Naval Engineers honored Laurence Dutton with its Harold E. Saunders Award for his exceptional service and significant contributions to naval engineering; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Dutton retired from civil service work in 2009, having served since 1998 as a director reporting directly to two Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) divisions; he continued to provide consulting services to NAVSEA until shortly before he died; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Dutton was a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth; he was very active in the church, serving on the Endowment Committee, and he was a member of the vestry and also had been senior warden; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Dutton will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Betty; his children, Laurie and Jeff, and their families; and by many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Laurence R. Dutton of Chesapeake, former chief design engineer and director at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, a veteran of the United States Army, a man of faith, and a devoted husband and father; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Laurence R. Dutton as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.