Harold Dyson Rutter, Jr.

Harold Dyson Rutter, Jr. passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2016 at the age of 88 years old, surrounded by loved ones, at his home in Fort Mill, SC.

He was born in Altoona, Pa. on February 9, 1929 to Harold Dyson Rutter, Sr. and Clair Helen (Croyle) Rutter. He was the first-born son of four children to whom he was very close. His oldest sister Joyce Arlene (Rutter) Shiplett lives in Kingston, PA; and younger brother Gene Rutter lives in Raleigh, NC. His youngest sister, Edris (Rutter) Colyer, precedes him in death.

Harold never met a stranger he didn't like, was a seeker of information, a treasure trove of knowledge and was always ready with a hug or time for a conversation. Upon graduating from Altoona High School, he volunteered and was accepted to the US Navy during WWII for the Submarine Service. He felt fortunate to serve on three different submarines, the USS Corsair SS435, the USS Trumptfish SS425, and a captured German U-Boat, USS Ex-U2513.

Following his honorable discharge from the service he attended Penn State University and worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was during this time that he met and married the love of his life Dorla Rose Albright on May 26, 1956 in Winchester, VA. They both enjoyed playing card games, dancing, singing and their family.

He worked for International Business Machines (IBM) from 1959 until 1991. During his time with IBM he worked in both New York and Virginia but spent a majority of his career in San Jose, CA as an engineer. Following retirement and years of global travel, he and Dorla moved to Fort Mill, SC where they made great connections in the American Legion, the VFW in Fort Mill, the Fort Mill Moose Lodge and the Carolina Piedmont Submarine Veterans Base. These organizations of caring peers continued to be a part of his life especially as his health began to fail.

He is survived by his wife, Dorla Rutter, his children; John Hammel and wife Jean of Lake Wylie, SC; Tom Hammel and his wife, Debra of Benson, AZ; Randy Rutter of San Jose, CA.; Dawn Kincade and husband, John of Vacaville, CA. and Shawn Rutter and his wife, Rebecca of Charlotte, NC. Harold's family has extended to 14 grandchildren and countless great grandchildren. His grandson, Evan Kincade of Vacaville, CA. precedes him in death.

A memorial service will be held at Palmetto Funeral Home 2049 Carolina Place Drive, Fort Mill, SC. on Tuesday February 28, 2017 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm.

A final interment will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA. on Friday March 10, 2017 at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations:
Carolina Piedmont Submarine Veterans Group: http://ncsubvets.org/carolina-piedmont-base/; The Fort Mill VFW: http://www.vfw.org; The Fort Mill American Legion: https://www.facebook.com/Americanlegionfortmillsc/;The Fort Mill Moose Lodge: http://www.mooseintl.org.

Memorial Contribution