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University of Illinois

John Toman Obituary

Published by Inside Bay Area on Apr. 27, 2010.

Colonel John Toman May 5, 1930 - Apr. 23, 2010 Resident of Pleasanton, CA Beloved husband of Mary Toman, devoted father to John J. Toman of Oakdale, CA, Lani Toman of Redondo Beach, CA, Tom Toman of Pleasanton, Lindy Chase of Loxahatchee, FL, Chris Toman of Livermore, CA, and cherished grandfather to eight grandchildren. John, affectionately known to many simply as, "the Colonel", touched many lives with his boundless optimism. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, graduated high school from Girard College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from the West Point Military Academy in 1953, was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers and served a tour in Korea in 1954 as a combat engineer. He earned Masters Degrees in Physics and Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, later resigned his active U.S. Army commission to accept a position at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where he served for 26 years, retiring as a senior scientist in1990. He retired as a member of the Army reserves after 30 years of military service in 1983 as the commandant of a U.S. Army reserve school for which he was awarded the highest military award in peace time, the Legion of Merit. His passions for the last 20 years of his life were both: serving as Chairman, CEO, and President of Pan American Resources, Inc., a public company with a patented system for converting landfill waste into electricity; and his several national speaking engagements as an expert on energy and environmental issues. He was a member of St. Augustine's Catholic parish and enjoyed world travel, woodworking, golf, performing as a vocalist, and spending time with his beloved family and friends. Family and friends are invited to a vigil service at 7:00 p.m., April 27, at Graham-Hitch Mortuary, 4167 First St., Pleasanton, CA 94566, (925) 846-5624, and are invited to a Funeral Mass the following day, April 28th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 3999 Bernal Ave., Pleasanton, CA, followed by military honors committal at St. Augustine's Cemetery, 5780 Sunol Blvd., Pleasanton, CA. Family asks that memorial contributions be made to Girard College, 2101 South College Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121, in the name of John Toman, Class of 1947, or flowers sent to Graham-Hitch Mortuary, Pleasanton.

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August 30, 2010

Someone posted to the memorial.

April 26, 2010

The Staff of Graham-Hitch Mortuary posted to the memorial.

April 27, 2010

Inside Bay Area posted an obituary.

2 Entries

August 30, 2010

Dear Mary,
It has been several years since we last saw you and John though we did not live that far away. I was just searching for people that we knew and encountered the news about your great loss this year. We remember both of you fondly with your Christmas cards with your pictures and all the fabulous trips that you made. We also cherish all the beautiful water colors that you painted and that John framed and that are in our home. We hope that you are doing well and that the kids are taking good care of you. Give us a call when you feel you are ready. We would love to talk to you and see you. Love, Connie & Jim Gholson, Fremont, California [email protected]