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Brown University Columbia University

FUNERAL HOME

Fulton-Theroux Funeral Service

13 Beckwith Ln

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Doug Tolderlund Obituary

Old Lyme - Doug Tolderlund, 69, of Old Lyme, passed away peacefully at his home on January 24th.

He was born in Newport, R.I., in 1939, and was the son of Shirley and Stanley Tolderlund. He graduated from Rogers High School in 1956. He was the oldest of three children.

In 1960, Doug graduated from Brown University with a bachelor of arts degree in geology and a commission in the U.S. Navy. He made three cruises on the USS Caliente (AO-53), an oiler, to the western Pacific and two cruises on the USS Tanner (AGS-15), an intelligence ship, to the Barents Sea above Norway. He went on to earn his doctorate in cceanography from Columbia University having done a dissertation at Lamont Observatory.

In 1969 he worked for Raytheon analyzing the impact of a nuclear power plant on the Hudson River. In 1970, he started his 29 year career at his "dream job" at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as a civilian professor. While there, he became a full professor, was the head of the Science Department for eight years, and taught Marine Fisheries, Marine Geology, Marine Pollution, and Polar Oceanography. He enjoyed many adventures such as a trip across the NW Passage on the CG icebreaker Polar Sea and a trip on the icebreaker Polar Star to the South Pole where he landed on Shackelton Glacier and made a helo flight over the "Dry Valleys" of the Transantarctic Mountains. In August of 1999, he retired with professor emeritus status.

During retirement he enjoyed his family and friends. He loved working outdoors, gardening, tending to his wild birds, and helping others any way he could.

Doug is survived by his wife, Sandy; his daughter, Rebecca Gronlund and her husband, Wayne; his son, Jason Tolderlund and his wife, Maura; and his three grandchildren, Quentin Wysopal and Chloe and Connor Tolderlund. He is also survived by his sister, Lorna Moon and brother, Marshall Tolderlund.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Coast Guard Academy Chapel in New London on February 2nd at 10:30 a.m., with a lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association and designated for the Marine Science Endowment.

Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Old Lyme is handling the arrangements.

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

Published by The Day on Jan. 29, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Doug Tolderlund

14 Entries

Sandy Found

February 13, 2008

Mrs. T, Becky, & Jason,
My thoughts are with you all. I am deeply saddened by your loss. I will always remember my childhood memories as your neighbor and friend. I'll never forget the fond memories I have of Mr. T taking Jason and I fishing, playing baseball on his Little League team, spending time in the tree fort he build out back, taking us trick-or-treating with the costumes Jason and I spent months creating after school with Mr. T's help and all the other fun times he spent with me and my family. He will be sorely missed. God bless.
--Sandy (Thrall) Found

Barbara Connell

February 11, 2008

Dear Sandy, Please accept my sincere sympathy at Doug's passing. What a wonderful person he was. I always enjoyed talking with both of you and regretted seeing him failing. May you be comforted with great memories and knowing he suffers no longer. I know he will continue to watch over you from above. Fondly, Chaplain Barbara Connell

Paul Geoffrion, SRB-CFO

February 11, 2008

On behalf of the entire membership of The Saco River Boys I extend profound condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Doug.

He will be forever missed by all who knew him on our annual canoeing trips down the Saco River in Maine. He will also forever be lovingly and respectfully remembered at our future gatherings and his name will be engraved on the SRB Memorial Plaque containing the names of other departed members.

May God grant Doug's soul eternal peace.

Anthony Davis

February 2, 2008

Doug Tolderlund was the one professor that will always be the greatest, most influential professor that I have ever known, through the Coast Guard Academy and afterwards, and there are many, many former cadets that share my sentiments. "Doc T" will be missed, but he will never be forgotten.

Nijole Crane

February 1, 2008

I was so sorry to hear of Doug's death.
Please accept my sympathy.

Mait McNamara

January 31, 2008

Dear Sandy and Becky..... Ramona and I join you in your sadness at the passing of your husband and dad.Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Mait ande Ramona McNamara

William Hine

January 30, 2008

It was a shock to learn of Mr. Tolderlund's death. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. My sincere sympathies to Mrs. Tolderlund, Becky and Jason.

Charles Hine

January 30, 2008

I am so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. Please accept my warmest wishes for a lifetime of treasured memories.

Jan Hine

January 30, 2008

We will miss Doug, his knowledge and his skills and his quiet strengths. He was a valued neighbor and friend. Our love and sympathy to Sandy and their family from all of us.

Diane and Vince O'Shea

January 30, 2008

Sandy, Becky, and Jason ~ Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and your families, during this sad and difficult time. Doug was a true friend and we'll miss him.

Jim O'Donnell

January 29, 2008

Doug was a frequent visitor to the Marine Science Seminar on friday afternoons at UConn. He was always inquisitive, insightful and positive, an excellent example to both our students an those of the Academy. I will miss him.

Paul Welling

January 29, 2008

So sorry to hear of Doug's death. Our thoughts are with you and with him.

Eve & Rit Manthous

January 29, 2008

Please accept our deepest sympathies. May his memory be eternal.

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