PHYSICIST, INVENTOR, PROMOTER OF SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY,
BUSINESSMAN, PRESERVATIONIST & PHILANTHROPIST
Dr. Charles McCutchen's wide range of scientific studies and interests included aerodynamics, joint lubrication and scientific fraud. He published numerous research papers in a wide variety of publications over his entire working career which continued until his death.
Dr. McCutchen grew up in Princeton, NJ and spent summers at his grandfather's 160 acre family camp on the shores of Lake Placid in New York state. His grandmother, who was a well known citizen of Plainfield, NJ and a member of the Shakespeare Society, named the camp 'ASULYKIT' ("As You Like It"). The camp provided the ideal place for Dr. McCutchen to study natural history and pursue interests in aviation, hydroplanes and windsurfing, and in later years to enjoy cruising the lake in a fully restored 100 year old classic Fay&Bowen motorboat.
Dr. McCutchen taking camp visitors for a boat ride on the lake
While studying at Princeton and Cambridge Universities and during his working career, Dr. McCutchen designed a number of diverse inventions for which he holds patents. His exclusive registered patents include:
US Patent #2746765 Suspension system for motor road vehicles
US Patent #3220786 Low Friction Bearings
US Patent #4002882 Heating Circuit
US Patent #4677678 Active Hearing Protectors
Dr. McCutchen also collaborated with others on additional patents:
US Patent #2604620 Radio Navigation System (a collaboration with his father)
US Patent #2888389 Electrolytic Production of Magnesium Metal
US Patent #3987987 Self-Erecting Windmill
For over 35 years Dr. McCutchen worked for the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland and published numerous articles on joint lubrication. One area in the field of science that developed into a lifelong passion was what he termed "Scientific Fraud". Dr. McCutchen devoted many years of his life working to expose what he saw as abuses to the system governing scientific research and grants, and contributed to several websites devoted to his views on these matters.
Dr. Charles McCutchen
Dr. McCutchen's grandfather, Charles W. McCutchen of Plainfield, NJ , made his fortune as a flour merchant before forming the United National Bank of New Jersey and building it into a small empire eventually taken over by the PNC Banking System in the 1990's. The maternal side of his family included Colonel Josiah Simpson who was a surgeon for the US army and served during the Civil War, receiving letters of exemplary service from such notables as General Ulysses S. Grand and President Abraham Lincoln.
In addition to being a successful businessman and banker, Charles provided financing for a new hotel in the heart of Washington D.C. Working with business partner Harrington Mills, the 240 room Hotel Harrington opened in March 1914 in the heart of the D.C. tourist district.
Charles W. McCutchen
Following in the family tradition, Dr. McCutchen became president of the Harrington Hotel Company in the 1980's and in 2014 the hotel celebrated its 100 year anniversary. The hotel's historic anniversary was presided over by Dr. McCutchen along with great and great-great grandchildren of Harrington Mills.
To this day the Harrington continues to be the oldest continually operating family owned and operated hotel in the District.
The Hotel Harrington, Washington D.C.
Another of Dr. McCutchen's passions is the McCutchen Family Foundation begun by his family in 1956. His father and his aunt Margaret both suffered from Acromats Disease (a debilitating eye disease) and the foundation provided research funding to help spread educational advice about the disease. To this day the foundation continues to provide scholarships and financial assistance to local, national and international charities that alleviate poverty, provide medical treatment, disaster relief and educational opportunities.
The McCutchen Family Foundation is one of the largest family foundations in the United States.
Mr. and Mrs. Brunson McCutchen
More than fifty worthy organizations have received grants from the McCutchen Family Foundation over the years. The list of organizations includes: National Kidney Foundation, Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Placid Public Library, American Liver Foundation, Paul Smith College, Adirondack North Country Association, Cambridge in America, New York Youth Symphony, Chilton Medical Center Foundation, The Plainfield Symphony, The Salvation Army, Sisters of Mercy at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Historical Society of Plainfield, The Seeing Eye Inc., Princeton First Aid&Rescue Squad, Institute for Advanced Study, Parkinson Alliance, United Negro College Fund Inc., Doctors Without Borders USA, School of Engineering Stanford University, Jewish Historical Society Jersey Inc., Wikimedia Foundation Inc. and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Upon news of Dr. McCutchen’s death, heartfelt letters of condolence were received from local and worldwide organizations supported by The McCutchen Foundation with generous grants over the years. A sample of these notes received by the trustees of the foundation follows:
Our most sincere condolences on Charlie’s passing. He meant so much to our work. His friendship & insight over the years made him one of our closest supporters. We are grateful for all he has done for this region through his support-not just for ANCA but for so many organizations working to make life better in this part of the world.
On a sadder note, thank you for informing the foundation and Gonville and Caius College of Dr. McCutchen’s death. We never met but he was the subject of a two-page spread in the college magazine a dozen years ago. The article was based on an interview my colleague, Mick Le Mopignan, was lucky enough to secure on the shores of Lake Placid, lucky fellow. What a fine picture it painted of a Caian interested in physics, chemistry, aircraft-and motorcycles. He’ll be missed. We shall not see his like again soon.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Charles McCutchen. His support of ducret has been a lifeline for the Arts in Plainfield. The McCutchen Foundation has had an impact and ducret has benefited greatly.
On behalf of the Historical Society of Plainfield, I extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to you and the staff at the McCutchen Foundation on the passing of Mr. Charles McCutchen. He was a great benefactor to the Society and Drake House Museum, and he will be missed.
We were greatly saddened to learn of Charles’ passing. He played a vital role as a Friend of the Institute and supporter of our mission for over twenty years. Please accept our deepest sympathies as we mark IAS’ ninth decade of existence, it is the vision and support of donors like Charles and the McCutchen Foundation that have allowed us to reach this milestone and to continue advancing knowledge in the humanities and sciences.
I am saddened by the loss of Mr. McCutchen whose inspiring support helped us protect many Americans from unjust government action. It was a privilege to work alongside him to fight for liberty. Rest assured that we will fight for the shared values that he held dearly.
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Charles McCutchen. His legacy of philanthropy will greatly benefit many organizations for years to come. He was a generous benefactor and he will be missed.
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Charles W. Mc Cutchen. I write today on behalf of the Lafayette College community to offer our condolences to the members of your philanthropic organization regarding the loss of your wonderful colleague. As we continue to conduct research in the McCutchen Foundation Microscopy Laboratory, which is located in the Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, Dr. McCutchen will be remembered and honored by the Lafayette College community.
Please accept the board of trustees’ condolences on the passing of Charles McCutchen. Mr. McCutchen’s and your foundation’s support of Marquand Park over many years have been remarkable and a true game-changer in terms preserving and enhancing this open space refuge.
Charles McCutchen’s legacy will live on in our work. His generosity has meant a great deal to the National Kidney Foundation. Please accept our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
We also send our condolences to the Trustees, family and loved ones of Dr. Charles W. McCutchen. His good wishes and philanthropy for Plainfield, his Grandmother’s City, have been transformative and sustaining to our Symphony. We hope that Dr. McCutchen understood during his lifetime how much his generosity meant to us and our patrons and supporters.
We are so appreciative of the Foundation’s support. For 39 years Dr. McCutchen impacted many patients’ lives at Planned Parenthood. We are so sorry for your loss.
It is with great sadness that we have received news of the passing of Dr. McCutchen.
We hope and pray the family and friends who knew him will continue to be comforted and find hope in the memories of him. Though he may not be here to continue spreading hope and joy in person, his legacy lives out through the impact of his generosity to the Plainfield Corps. and community. We are deeply appreciative of the support Dr. McCutchen gave to the Salvation Army and the humanitarianism he displayed for his beloved community of Plainfield through his giving. In my last conversation with Dr. McCutchen he shared with me his family history in Plainfield and why he loved it so and supported the work of the Salvation Army there. If there are plans in the future for a public memorial to celebrate Dr. McCutchen’s life and service, the Salvation Army would be honored to present a memorial to the McCutchen Foundation in Dr. McCutchen’s memory.
On behalf of the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command I want to first express my condolences on the loss of Mr. McCutchen. We have been the grateful beneficiary of his compassionate generosity since 1989. So sorry for Mr. McCutchen passing away. It is our privilege to pray for his family and friends.
All of us here at the Wild Center were saddened to hear of Charles’ passing earlier this year. He was a fine person and a good friend to the museum, we will miss him.
Dr. McCutchen leaves behind many devoted friends and colleagues in addition to all the employees of his hotel, many with 30 or more years of service, who saw him not just as an employer, but a friend and respected father figure. His wit and humor will be missed by everyone who ever knew him.
Dr. McCutchen, Ann Terry, Mr. Tillman, Jack McClow
Copyright © 2021 Dr. Charles W. McCutchen - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy