Charles Hutter

Dr. Charles George Hutter, Jr. (June 21, 1916 – September 24, 1989) was an American Orthopedic surgeon for over forty years and a former competition swimmer for Harvard University who helped the U.S. Men's Olympic swim team win a Silver medal in the 4x200 freestyle relay at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

Hutter was born on June 21, 1916 in Pana, Illinois to Colonel Charles G. Hutter and Katherine Weiss Hutter.

In the 200 indoor freestyle, he was the 1937 American Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Champion. Hutter graduated Harvard in 1938, and as a Sophomore was the first Harvard swimmer to qualify for the Olympics in 1936.

As an exceptional addition to the Harvard Swim Team, he set records for Harvard in four freestyle distances in 1937, with three of the records remaining for almost twenty years. Two of those records came in the most thrilling meet in Harvard aquatic history, the 39-3 victory over Ivy League rival Yale University's swim team that halted Yale's undefeated record at 164. He captained Harvard's undefeated 1938 team, helped Harvard win two Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League championships and enjoy its longest continuous winning streak of 23 victories.

1936 Berlin Olympic Silver medal Hutter placed fifth in the 100 freestyle at the 1936 Olympic trials, but it was sufficient to make the U.S. Men's 1936 Olympic relay team as an alternate included in the full relay team of six swimmers. Hutter was not eligible to receive a medal, because only swimmers who competed in the final round of the relay event received medals under the swimming rules in effect for the 1936 Olympics. He operated behind the Japanese lines, and was awarded the Bronze Star for rescuing American servicemen. Later in China, he aided in the rescue of General Jonathan M. Wainwright, and provided medical attention to American POWs.

Post-war career After the war, he was an Orthopedic Resident from 1946-1948 at the L.A. County and Mass General Hospitals, later opening his own office in Hollywood and North Hollywood. He was a former President of the Far West Medical Association, was a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and was Chief of Staff at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, the Medical Center of Hollywood, and Burbank's St. Joseph Hospital.

He died September 24, 1989 in Los Angeles, California, and was survived by his wife Bernice, and sons Charles George Hutter III, and Peter Schuyler Hutter. Memorial services were held September 29 at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, California.