Thomas Dillman Obituary

Name: Service for Thomas Dillman
Start: 2024-03-23T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Woodside Cemetery & Arboretum

Dillman, Thomas Milton

Thomas M. Dillman passed away peacefully in St. Louis, MO on September 26, 2023, at the age of 88. Tom was born in Middletown, Ohio, and was the youngest son of Dewey Dodd and Martha (Wlosinski) Dillman, who owned Dillman Foods. Tom attended Middletown High School where he played baseball, football, and basketball. Tom helped lead the Middies basketball team in two State Championships. Tom would always say that he was "an all-around athlete" and he truly was.

Tom went on to college at Ohio State University where he studied Veterinary medicine and played football under the direction of the legendary Woody Hayes. During his time at OSU, the Buckeyes were the Big Ten Champions in 1954 &1955, and National Champtions in 1957 when he was a student coach. Tom played in the 1955 Rose Bowl and the Buckeyes were the champions. He graduated from Ohio State with his veterinary degree in 1959.

In 1962, Tom opened his veterinary practice in Trotwood, Ohio, which remained in business for close to 50 years. Tom was dedicated to giving quality care to the animals he treated and would even bring some home so he could personally monitor them overnight. During Tom's life in Trotwood, he served on the school board and was an active member of the Rotary Club and a longtime member of Miami Valley Golf Club.

Tom loved his golden retrievers, crossword puzzles, football, golf, snow skiing,and especially his annual trip to Cancun, Mexico with friends and family. Tom enjoyed telling jokes, being a prankster and was always the life of the party! He is preceded in death by his wives Maria (Latanzio) and Barbara (Withers- Sonneborn- mother of his children). Tom is survived by his daughters Diana Dillman (Cristina Louzan), Lori Zander (Daniel), Jennifer Fisher (Donald), and his grandchildren Dainiel & Lauren Zander and Jacob & Elijah Fisher.

Service to be held at Woodside Cemetery & Arboretum, in Middletown, OH on 3-23-2024 @1PM, for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter or rescue group in your area.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dayton Daily News on Oct. 13, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Dillman

10 Entries

J. Clark

July 13, 2024

I just learned of Dr. Dillman's passing, and would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and friends. As a fellow Middletonian who eventually made Trotwood home, I truly appreciated the contribution that the Dillman family, as well as Dr. Dillman, made to the communities that they served. Again, my sincere condolences. (1 Corinthians 15:26)

Anne Ellison Seaman

October 16, 2023

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Dillman. I have very fond memories of him. His practice was just down the road from our home. Not only was he our local veterinarian but be was active in our community as well. Everyone loved him. We lived in Trotwood and he cared for our beloved pets for many years. He was always willing to help. When I was in high school I worked in the pet department at K Mart. A hamster was in need of help. I took the hamster to Dr. Dillman, I was so thankful he was there. I send my deepest sympathy to his family and friends. He will be missed by many.

Jeannie Strausburg

October 15, 2023

Sorry to read of Dr. Dillman's passing. He was an exceptional animal surgeon. I worked for him for a number of years, starting in HS and thru college along with Mike High and Joyce Hill and remember Barbara and the girls quite well because you would drop-in...also Sam, the Golden Retriever, who came to work with him and would come home with me during their vacations. Then there was Luke &Chester the blood doner dog and cat...He had a full house and Clinic! I don't remember Dr. D ever sending an abandoned or stray animal to the pound...I sure brought my share of them home. I loved puppy/kitten deliveries and working in surgery. (No Vet Techs back then, "Dr. D" trained us to do everything) He also taught me how to groom dogs and handle big heavy sheep shears to shave Old English Sheepdogs.(I still help friends clip their dogs.) He was also generous, buying lunches and occasionally treating us to dinners at Miami Valley Golf Club. We ran errands in his big car which was replaced with a multi-passenger grey and scarlet van which I feared I would wreck but fortunately never did. One year we did Christmas Baskets for needy folks with animals. (We were overrun with donations and it took a whole week to organize plus another to deliver everything to over a hundred people, but it was great-AND the Clinic made the paper. Thank heaven the clinic addition was under roof (but not finished) by then. Otherwise he would have seen animals on top of 40 lb bags of food and collars, toys and brushes. We even had bales of straw for the outdoor dogs to stay warm. He'd come in, shake his head, move cat/dog food so he could sit down, drink his coffee and read his paper... in not so controlled chaos. My condolences to all of you. I hope your memories will bring you comfort and lots of smiles like I got when writing this!

Edward Reeves( Keme Asad)

October 14, 2023

It was 1990, and I was 22 virtually unemployable. I loved animals though and applied for Dr. Ds veterinary assistant job in the paper. He interviewed and hired me..and changed my life. I only stayed the summer, but it was a great experience for me, and he was quite the character. ( lol) He taught me a lot about dogs, and I love them till this day. I will feed my bull terrier TJ, nothing but science diet kibble..because of the Doctor. Every time I feed her, I think of him. I am now 56 years old..with 2 children, and 6 grandchildren! Shots go out to my ex co workers at TVC..Brigette, Patty, Chris( the groomer) Chris( the lab tech)..and Emily. RIP Mrs Maria too. Thanks Doc, for everything you did for me..there will never be another veterinarian like you, EVER!! RIP Dr.D Go Bucks!!

Cheryl Limbert Plak

October 14, 2023

Condolences to Diana and the entire family.

Bob Mauch

October 13, 2023

Dr. Dillman gave me my first job ("Kennel Boy") at Trotwood Veterinary Clinic in 1976. He was a great boss, held all employees to high standards, and treated us all with kindness. He was a highly respected veterinarian, including among many breeders, and clients came to him from all over the region for some of the procedures he specialized in. I was a wet-behind-the-ears, know-nothing teenager and he treated me like gold. I drove (my first car) an old Ford "beater", but he'd give me his car keys to drive his very fine cars around to run errands for the Clinic. I was stylin', lol (he had really nice cars)! Ah, "Dr D", I think of you often. Thank you for making my First-Job-Experience a very positive one. Rest in peace.

LINDA GREEN

October 13, 2023

I WAS VERY PROUD TO WORK AT TROTWOOD VETERINARY CLINIC FOR CLOSE TO 5 YEARS. I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT ANIMAL CARE AND THAT IS WHERE I GOT MOST OF MY PETS. HE TOLD ME ONCE THAT WHEN TELLING A CLIENT WHAT TO BRING TO AN APPOINTMENT, INSTEAD OF SAYING "BRING IN A STOOL SAMPLE", I WOULD TELL THEM TO BRING IN A SMALL OFFERING TO THE POO POO GODS. THAT ONE MADE HIM LAUGH.
DR. DILLMAN WILL BE MISSED AND I SURE AM GLAD I GOT TO WORK WITH HIM AND LEARN SO MUCH.

Mike High

October 13, 2023

Dr. Dillman was a terrific role model and an important adult in my life. I worked for him for eight years while I attended Trotwood Madison (class of '66) and Wright State University. Young people today get a degree as Veterinary Assistant. I was trained on the job and was getting paid--I started when I was 15. He always allowed me to schedule my work so I could play sports. He was my friend and always treated me well. He trusted me and gave me adult responsibilities that made me a better person. I still think of him and smile. We kept in touch.

Tammy

October 13, 2023

We will miss Dr. Dillman. He was a great Veterinarian and friend. He was always joking around and keeping all of us at Animals R Us Veterinarian Clinic laughing. He was a very caring Veterinarian and special man.
Tammy

Lynne Cates

October 13, 2023

I am deeply saddened to read of Tom's passing. So many great memories of the friendship we had thru the years, especially the ski trip to Big Sky, Montana with the Ohio Veterinary group. Tom and my employer, Darrell Apt, were great friends over the years. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. May all our memories be a true blessing.

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