Distinguished Engineer
Hometown: Sioux Falls
Electrical Engineering ,
Robert G. Dutcher worked as a computer engineer at Honeywell and Control Data following his graduation from South Dakota State University. He took night classes at the same time, earning an M.S. in electrical engineering with a biomedical option from the University of Minnesota. Dutcher was with Medtronic, Inc., for 13 years and rose to the rank of director of research and development. He joined Possis Medical, Inc., a medical device company located in Minneapolis in 1985. He was named CEO of Possis Medical in 1993 and chairman in 2001. The company has delivered advanced, innovative and cost-effective products such as its AngioJet System as solutions to problems associated with cardiovascular disease. The AngioJet System enables cardiologists, radiologists and vascular surgeons to remove blood clots throughout the body by using miniaturized waterjet technology. Dutcher held 21 U.S. medical device patents, including the AngioJet patents.