Deane F. Tolman

February 25, 1927 - October 27, 2013

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Obituary For Deane F. Tolman

Deane Franklin Tolman Sr. 86, of Raleigh, NC died after a long illness on October 27th, 2013 at Duke Raleigh Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 25, 1927 in Rochester, New Hampshire; the son of Rodger and Francis Tolman of Nelson, New Hampshire. He grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts and was very athletic and loved playing ice hockey and tennis. He graduated from Massachusetts Mari¬time Academy in 1947 after receiving a commission in the US Naval Reserve. He met his future wife. Nancy Montfort Blake, and soon married in Washington DC and have been married for over 62 years. He then graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 1951 with a BS in Civil Engineering. After graduation, he worked on numerous civil engineering projects including highway design, defense systems, occupational safety and environmental impact studies. He also had the privilege of being responsible for Lunar Surface Mobility programs and studies of Earth Orbital Space Stations. He retired as director of Environmental Systems from Research Triangle International after 25 years of loyal service. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Blake Tolman, of Raleigh; his daughter, Debbie Perry of Raleigh; his son, Deane Tolman, Jr. and wife, Jan Tolman, of Apex, NC; his daughter, Susan Hourihan and husband, Dr. Jude Hourihan, of Boston, MA; brother, Harvey Tolman and wife, Frankie, of Nelson, NH; grandchildren: Renee Pearson and husband, Dean, of New York City; Brittany Rowe and husband, Matt, and son, Noah, of Raleigh, NC; Evan Tolman, of Apex, NC; Angela Hourihan of Boston, MA. Those who were lucky enough to have known Deane will always remember his kindness, patience, love and strength of character. He was loved by everyone who knew him. Above all, he was a faithful husband, father, brother and friend. The family would like to express their gratitude to the care givers who provided such good care for him throughout the last several years of his life: Debbie Perry, Dorothey Moss, Bev Castelli and Diana Duffy. A memorial service will be held at Renaissance Funeral Home 7615 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27615 at 2pm; Wednesday, October 30th 2013. A private graveside service will be held in Jacksonville, NC. Condolences: rfhr.com

Services

30 Oct

Memorial Service

02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Renaissance Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center 7615 Six Forks Rd Raleigh, NC 27615 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • September 01, 2020

    Mattie Jones

    I am sorry for your loss, please accept my heartfelt sympathy. While you are preparing to lay your loved one to rest, to sleep for a little while in death(John 11:11), I hope you will find comfort in knowing that soon Jesus' promise of the resurrection will be fulfilled; when he will awaken those who are sleeping in death, restoring them back to life, to live eternally on the Paradise earth.-John 5:28,29; Luke 23:43. Until that blessed promise is fulfilled; may Jehovah God soothe your grieving hearts now and grant you peace and comfort.during this time of sorrow.-Matthew5:4.

  • September 01, 2020

    Sam McKnight

    While working at RTI in the 1970s, Deane and I were not in the same departments but we worked together on several projects. Working with Deane always was a pleasure. More recently, when we visited our son Neal and his wife Melanie at their vacation house in Nelson, New Hampshire, we enjoyed watching our children ice skate on Tolman Pond,and we heard Deane's brother Harvey play fiddle at the Nelson Library. Making a connection with the past was a pleasure. May God's blessing be with you as you remember and celebrate a life well lived. Sam McKnight

  • September 01, 2020

    Keith

    My wife and I were lucky enough to meet the Tolmans by stopping at their doorstep for Halloween with our daughter one year. We live just a few doors down and we couldn't of moved into a nicer neighborhood with friends and neighbors like the Tolmans. We just moved from Boston at the time so as we talked to Deane we could see the sparkle in his eye bringing up memories of Boston to him. A great man, a kind man and a man that will be missed - Keith, Elizabeth, Sophia and James Benson

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