Thomas Joseph Dryden

Born in Portland, Oregon, Tom spent his youth in Portland, attending Laurelhurst grade school and Grant High School. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he attended the University of Oregon where he was a Sigma Chi and met his future wife, Dorothy Chapman, of Eugene. After graduating from Oregon Health and Science University, Tom went on to become a dentist in Portland. Tom and Dottie raised five children in Lake Oswego before retiring to the Oregon Coast.

Often called “The Splendid Splinter” by those who knew him, Tom was a lover of life in every way. He and Dottie were avid golfers throughout their 58-year marriage, and also enjoyed dancing, music, and walking along the beach in front of their home.

After retirement, Tom spent his days tending his extensive gardens, reading Dick Francis novels, keeping up with the Portland Trail Blazers, his beloved Oregon Ducks and sending newspaper clippings annotated with his signature red pen to his children and grandchildren.

His appreciation for the gifts of each and every day ensured that he spent his days smiling and sharing his infectious enthusiasm with everyone around him. Tom fully embodied the saying, “a stranger is only a friend you haven’t yet met,” and anyone with whom he crossed paths would often get an energetic update on the grandchildren, current events, and culinary highlights from the week’s best meals.

He remained an active member of his community and family through the latter years of his life; frequently traveling back and forth from his ocean home in Oregon to the Dryden family home in Flemington, New Jersey. Through these travels, Tom developed lasting friendships with multitudes of people on both coasts, and he will be wholeheartedly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Tom was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, and daughter, Margaret. He is survived by daughter Janet Dryden, sons Thomas, Leonard and Jason, plus nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.