George "Kip" Ernest Hutson

George “Kip” Ernest Hutson, born December 20, 1937 in Chicago, passed away on March 7, 2026 at the age of 88 in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by his loving wife and family after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Eugenia (Jean) Arger Hutson; his children, Todd (Barb) Hutson and Lisa (Tom Moser) Nelson; stepdaughters Carrie (Scott) Turner and Cindi (Troy) Hatlestad; stepson Mike Susk; and his dear sister Barbara (Hutson) Baethke. He was deeply cherished by his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends and extended family members who will miss him greatly.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George Joseph and Muriel Ann (Quenzer) Hutson; his sister Lorra (Hutson) Schwartz and brother-in-law Paul Schwartz; and his beloved second wife, Magdalena “Maggie” (Vidervol) Hutson.

Born at Westside Hospital in Chicago, he attended West Chicago High School and spent one semester at Elgin College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1958. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, attended Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1959. He served on active duty and in the reserves until 1969, rising to the rank of Major as Captain of the 63rd Division, Special Forces.

George began his professional career in 1962 with the Packaging Machinery Division of FMC Corporation in Los Angeles. In 1969 he moved to Minnesota, advancing to General Manager of General Dairy Equipment. He was awarded a U.S. patent for an adjustable container conveyor used in food processing equipment. On November 1, 1982, he founded Filtration Engineering Company, Inc., designing and manufacturing membrane processing systems for the dairy industry. His work took him around the world, where he built lasting relationships with business partners and customers. In 1994 he received the President’s “E” Certificate for Exports, and in 2013 the city of Champlin, Minnesota honored him with an award and a key to the city. He sold Filtration Engineering to Tetra Pak in 2012 and later sold Prospect Analytical to AMETEK MOCON in 2019, retiring at age 81.

He will be remembered for his joyful personality, family-centered life, keen intelligence, delightful sense of humor, and boundless optimism. A gifted entrepreneur, salesman, storyteller, leader, mentor, and proud American, George loved life deeply and made the most of his 88 years while cherishing his family above all.