Mike Clutter

Dr. Michael Lee Clutter, 63 of Athens, passed away unexpectedly on December 24. Among his many professional accomplishments, Dr. Clutter served as Dean of the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources from 2007-2015.

Dr. Clutter is survived by his wife of 38 years, Catherine (Cathy) Nemetz, and their three children, Matthew, Emily, and Maggie. Additional survivors include his mother, Christine Clutter, and his sister, Carolyn Clutter Ball, both of Athens; a number of nieces, nephews, and in-laws; a score of forestry colleagues and beloved friends; and his canine companion, Addie. Dr. Clutter was predeceased by his father, Dr. Jerome L. Clutter, also a leading professor at Warnell for 20 years.

Visitation for loved ones, friends, and colleagues will be Friday, January 6 from 5-7:00 pm at Lord & Stephens West, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road in Watkinsville. A funeral Mass will take place Saturday, January 7 at 11 am at The Catholic Center at the University of Georgia, 1344 S. Lumpkin Street, with a reception to follow. Interment will be at Oconee Hills Cemetery immediately after the reception.

Born March 14, 1959 in Durham, N.C., Dr. Clutter grew up in Athens and attended Clarke Central High School, where he graduated with honors in 1977, was captain of the soccer team, and lead trumpeter for the school’s band. He pursued his undergraduate education at Ohio University, playing collegiate soccer, and later at Mississippi State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry resources in 1981. Returning to his hometown, Dr. Clutter received a master’s degree in 1982 and a doctoral degree in 1991, both from Warnell.

Dr. Clutter was considered an authority on the economics of the forestry industry, including finance, budgeting, and timberland management. Early in his career, he held various management positions with two leading forest products companies, Georgia Pacific Corporation and Union Camp Corporation in Savannah. Joining Warnell’s faculty in 2001, he was later named the Hargreaves Distinguished Professor of Forest Finance and received the Warnell School’s Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching. Assuming the role of Dean on August 15, 2007, Dr. Clutter was determined to keep students at the forefront of his scholarship and research, continuing to teach forestry courses until his departure in January, 2015. Along with his Warnell classes, he also was an adjunct professor at the Terry College of Business, where he taught corporate finance. One of his proudest accomplishments was his lifetime affiliation with Warnell as a dean, professor, student, and the son of a professor at the school.

Desiring to return to the private sector, Dr. Clutter became a top executive with Forest Investment Associates Timber Partners, a major timber and timberland investment fund, immediately following his deanship in 2015. He worked there until 2021, when he was named Chief Analytics Officer at F & W Forestry, a position he held until his death.

Along with his academic and professional accomplishments, Dr. Clutter was the co-editor of a book on timberland investment, author of numerous articles and other publications, a recipient of several research grants, an editorial board member of the professional journal Forest Science, a member and past chair of the American Forest and Paper Association’s forest inventory committee; and a member of the U.S. Forest Service’s forest inventory and analysis review committee. He was an inductee of the Georgia Foresters Hall of Fame.

While his ultimate passion was his family, Dr. Clutter will be remembered for his culinary skills; oenology expertise; excitement for travel, especially to Oregon and New Zealand; and his love for entertaining friends, family, colleagues, and graduate students.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that donations be made to: The Dr. Michael L. Clutter Fellowship, University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, attention: Bridget Harden (bharden@uga.edu). In addition, donations may be made to Trout Unlimited, at gifts.tu.org.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, is in charge of arrangements.  www.lordandstephens.com