Obituary

Dr. Robert Jasper Tutton (Lieutenant Colonel, USA, Ret.), 81, of Chesterfield, VA passed away at home after a long battle with cancer on Saturday, January 10, 2026. He was born on April 9, 1944, in San Diego, California to the late Robert John and Frances Adele Tutton. He is preceded in death by his sister, Cecelia Carey and her daughter, Jovonna, and recently, a beloved granddaughter, Celeste Olivia Seal.

Robert is survived by his devoted wife of almost 50 years, Dale; his children: Tonya (Lonnie), Rob (Karen), Lisa, Barry (Rachel), and Rusty (Maria); grandchildren: Melissa (Tripp), Kerri, Dylan, Jason, Teak, Caleb, McKenzie, and Chloe; great-grandchildren Jay and Thea; brother-in-law Harvey; and numerous extended family and friends.

Robert (known to family, friends, and colleagues as Bob) built his life on the pillars of principled leadership and service, beginning with the military service that shaped his character and personal discipline. His military career in the United States Air Force and Virginia Army National Guard dovetailed with his lifelong passion for education, mental health, and encouraging the development of younger generations, including the Veterans Coordinator role that launched his multi-decade career at John Tyler Community College (since renamed Brightpoint). While working full time and raising a blended family, Bob ultimately earned multiple graduate degrees with the support of his GI benefits, such as an Educational Specialist in Counseling degree from The College of William & Mary and a doctorate in Counseling from George Mason University. Bob’s professional and military titles are too numerous to include in this obituary, but he is likely best known – and his lasting impact as an educator best remembered – for his roles at JTCC, which progressed to include Coordinator of Counseling, Dean of Extended Learning and Distance Education, and Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 2007 (though his preferred role in retirement was the proud owner of Bobville, the dream home and sanctuary for time in nature he and his wife Dale designed and built together). Bob and Bobville could be counted on as a place of wisdom, reflection, and the more-than-occasional cheeky comment for all who had the fortune of meeting him there, deer and turkeys notwithstanding. Bob provided an inimitable combination of tough love and whole-hearted acceptance to the many generations of his family and all others he held dear. He made every person, group, and institution he encountered better for having done so, and he will be dearly missed.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd, N. Chesterfield, VA 23234. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, in the chapel at Morrissett. Interment to follow with military honors at Dale Memorial Park, 10201 Newbys Bridge Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Robert’s name may be made to VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.