Long-time race official Don Hutchinson was found dead in bed at his home in Crystal River, Florida yesterday, September 18th by his friend and neighbor, former racer Jerry Wood. “Don always remained calm when everybody was getting excited at the racetrack,” Wood told Roadracing World. “He always knew what to do.”

Hutchinson, who was 83, was best known for running racing organizations and races in the Northeast but had retired to Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife Annie, who died 16 years ago after a battle with cancer, according to Wood. Hutchinson is survived by his daughter, Phillis Enyon, and two grandchildren, Stewart and Emily.

Wood wrote and posted the following on Facebook:

RIP Don Hutchinson 1931-2014

Don Hutchinson’s official title was Race Director, but he served as the heart and soul of the Northeast Motorcycle Road Racing Groups for almost 30 years. Don had teams of great people to actually run the races on the track, but the entire process is infinitely more complicated than one might imagine. Under Don’s direction this all seemed to happen like magic. Don personally tracked all of the rider advancement points and championships using a computer program that he developed

Many of us remember the AAMRR, LRRS, GP Pro days as some of the best times of our lives. Don and his wife, Annie, got Bridgehampton up and running again, a true race course and great times. I feel that our greatest memories are from the great friendships and social life at the tracks. It would be fitting for us to share those memories now.

Don often joked about “going belly up in the night”. Don was found in his bed where he apparently passed peacefully in his sleep. It was his birthday – he was 83.