Theodore Ted Marshall Tochterman Jr.

Theodore M. Tochterman Jr. (USAF-ret), age 84, died on Sunday, September 24th, in Bellevue, WA. Ted was born in Snohomish, WA to Theodore Sr. and Alice (Weber) Tochterman and was the oldest of four children. Ted grew up in Bellevue where he was a member of the First Congregational Church since the age of three. He and his family lived in Honolulu, HI during World War II, returning to Bellevue in 1947. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1951.

Ted attended Washington State College where he earned a BA in Social Science and a commission in the United States Air Force. Ted attended pilot training in Texas and advanced flying schools in Arizona and Nevada before an assignment in 1957 to Virginia, flying fighter aircraft. In 1959, while assigned to Keesler AFB, Ted met the love of his life, a newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Louise. They married in June of 1960. Following assignments in Iceland, and Germany, Ted was assigned back to the states in 1966 for training in preparation for duty in Vietnam. Ted was awarded the Bronze Star for his service as a Forward Air Controller pilot. Ted left active duty in 1968, returning to Bellevue and joined the Air Force Reserves, flying C-141s out of McChord AFB. Ted retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and Squadron Commander in 1983.

Ted will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years Louise, daughter Tiffany, and son-in-law Dave Harmon. Ted was preceded in death by his parents and by his youngest daughter, Tara Lyn. Granddaughters Madison and Claire cherish their time with their Grampy. Three younger sisters, Dorothy Connors, Nancy Dickman, and Susan Tochterman, greatly miss their big brother. Brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbors, and many, many friends remember Ted's love of life, sunshine, and travel. Various charitable organizations and his church remember Ted's generosity and kindness.

Burial service will take place Saturday morning at Sunset Hills in Bellevue. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 7th, 2017 at 1:00 pm at First Congregational Church, Bellevue, 11061 NE 2nd Street, Bellevue, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ted’s name to First Congregational Church, Bellevue, Seattle Children’s Hospital or The Camp Goodtimes Project.