Paul Hutt

Paul Hutt was a caring man who many would argue was born with “diesel in his blood” as it was his deepest longing to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a truck driver himself. Paul was a hard worker who took great pride in his work and was friends with numerous fellow truck drivers due to his sunny disposition and generous heart. Paul enjoyed being surrounded by his friends and family when he wasn’t working and he was always willing to help anyone in need.

The 1960s were a time like no other in American history, as it was during this decade that John F. Kennedy was assassinated, the Civil Rights Movement forever changed the face of our nation, and Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Also during this time, Bernard and Jean (Sinke) Hutt, of Bravo, Michigan, were basking in the glow of the birth of their son, Paul, on November 17, 1967. Born as the youngest of four children in his family, Paul was described as a strong willed, but cute kid. His father grew crops on their farm until Paul was five, at which time their family moved to Holland, Michigan. Paul attended local schools, although he didn’t care too much for typical academics. He had a passion for things mechanical. Paul once had an argument with his third grade teacher and then walked home, much to his mother’s disapproval. Paul was always fascinated with trucks from the earliest age and would often ride with his dad during holiday and summer breaks.

After Paul graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1986, he turned his aspirations into a reality when he started his career as a professional truck driver. He drove for the family business, Hutt Trucking Company, until 1992, when he took a leap of faith and began driving in the trucking department for Merridian Corporation, which was later purchased by the Herman Miller Company. He excelled in his work for Herman Miller and was always looking for innovative ways to improve their productivity. Although he was exceptional at the dispatching and logistics side of the trucking industry, his heart belonged on the road. When Herman Miller eliminated their over the road fleet in 2001, Paul was welcomed back into the family business. He was a great asset and a true professional in all aspects of the trucking business. Paul could recall directions with ease and he had confidence in his ability in knowing the lay of the land. Paul was a truck driver that took his work very seriously.

While building his career, Paul’s personal life turned in a new direction when he was set up on a blind date on May 25, 1985. His date was Shawnda Scholten and they went to see the movie Rocky. The couple continued dating and a romance soon ensued. They were married on August 3, 1990, at the Fellowship Reformed Church. Paul and Shawnda appropriately drove away from their reception in a semi-truck. The newlyweds lived in an apartment for the first two years of their marriage where their family grew to include their daughter, Bethany, in 1991. A few years later, they moved into a home on Thistlewood Lane, located on the north side of Holland, where they welcomed their son, Andrew. In 1999, the family again moved to a home on Garden View Drive in Zeeland.

There were numerous things that made Paul the unique man he was to his family and friends. When he wasn’t working, Paul loved spending time with his family, leaving little time for any other hobbies, although he was a fan of music. He loved anything from the eighties, country western and the classic work of “The King”, Elvis Presley. There were times that he enjoyed snowmobiling with his brother and friends. On one occasion, Paul attempted to race a quad-runner. When the starting gun went off, the other racers sped off leaving him behind. Paul realized his quad was in neutral! He discovered this type of sport didn’t suit him and never raced again. Paul was a caring man by nature and was always willing to help others, looking out for them as well. He had a determined attitude and at times could be a bit strong willed but always had a positive, can-do attitude. Paul had numerous friends, especially within the trucking world, perhaps because he knew how to talk to truckers and speak their language.

Paul Hutt was known as a great guy and he had friends too numerous to count. He cherished being a professional truck driver and as an employee, was a genuine asset to the company he was working for. Paul was blessed with a mind that made his career a natural fit for him. He had an inborn pulse for the trucking business allowing him to understand the way things truly were. Paul also deeply loved his family and looked forward to returning home after work and surrounding himself with their loving company. He will be dearly missed.

Paul A. Hutt, of Zeeland, MI, died Friday, June 26, 2009 at his home. Paul’s family includes his wife Shawnda; his daughter, Bethany Hutt; his son, Andrew Hutt, both at home; his parents, Bernard and Jean Hutt of Hamilton; sisters, Cheryl (Mike) Buckley of Caledonia, and Kathryn Hutt of McKinney, Texas; a brother, James (Ellen) Hutt of Holland; brothers in law, Chad (Michelle) Scholten of West Olive and Brent (Cindy) Scholten of Zeeland.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 on Monday at the Ridge Point Community Church, 340 104th Ave., Holland. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the same location.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a memory for the family, sign a guest register, or make a memorial contribution to Paul’s children’s educational fund in care of Huntington Bank. Arrangements are by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes – Mulder Chapel – Holland, MI.