Russell C. "Butch" Luthman

WORCESTER – Russell C. "Butch" Luthman, 77, died peacefully on Monday evening, August 27, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital, surrounded by his loving family, following a period of declining health. He was born and raised in Worcester, one of nine children to Thure and Helen (Hazelwood) Luthman.

Butch worked for 34 years at Norton Company (Saint Gobain), Worcester spending many of those years in abrasives manufacturing at Plant 8, retiring in 2001. Following his retirement, Butch spent several years working as the sexton and caretaker at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Worcester, as well as a Grounds Keeper for Pakachoag Golf Course. To say Butch "liked" golf would be an understatement. Golf played an integral part in Butch's life, beginning at an early age. Butch grew up on the links of Pakachoag Golf Course in Auburn as a young man, not far from his family home on College Hill. He won the "Closest to the Pin" Award from the Telegram & Gazette newspaper contest as an 11-year-old. Golf continued to be a large part of his life as he grew older, playing in the National Junior Golf Championship in Phoenix, AZ, as well as the annual Massachusetts State Amateur tournament for many years. Butch was known to be one of the best junior golfers. He played countless rounds at Pakachoag as well as Hillcrest Country Club in Leicester, and was a member of the "Growlers". Over the past several years, Butch was proud to share his golf knowledge with the members of the Auburn High School Boys & Girls Golf teams, serving as an assistant coach. He truly had a passion for the game. With patience and his ever-present smile, Butch loved to assist fellow golfers learn the game as well as teach them a true appreciation for the sport. Butch was also a proud cheerleader for his four grandchildren. He had a solid presence at their many sporting events and was always recognizing their accomplishments with his love and encouragement. His grandchildren truly were his pride and joy, and he loved each one of them with all his heart.

Butch will be lovingly missed by his beloved wife of 51 years, Beverly (Dulmaine) Luthman; his two children, Russell C. Luthman, Jr. and his wife Linda of Worcester and Cherly L. Walczak and her husband, Luke of Oxford; his four grandchildren, Ali & Zack Luthman and Autumn & Keith Walczak; his four siblings, William Luthman of South Carolina, Helen Bartol of Bridgewater, Donna Harrison of Worcester and Dorothy Delman of Grafton; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his three brothers, Ronald, Raymond and Robert as well as his sister, Anne Baisley.

Family and friends are invited to gather for Butch's Life Celebration. Visiting hours on Thursday, August 30th , from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lindquist-Lundin Funeral Home, 36 Butler Street, Worcester. His memorial service will be held on Friday, August 31st at 11 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 200 Greenwood Street, Worcester. Burial plans are private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Russell "Butch" Luthman Memorial Golf Scholarship c/o People's United Bank, 4 Mower Street, Worcester, MA 01602 Attn: Tina Lyons, or to a charity of your choice. To share a memory or leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.lindquistlundin.com