Thomas Dean Leth

Thomas Dean Leth, longtime resident of the SCV and favorite science teacher at Hart High School for decades, passed away peacefully in 2022. He was 87.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, son of the state budget director, Tom earned a Master's in Organic Chemistry from the Illinois Institute of Technology, then met his wife Silvia in Indianapolis while working as a chemist for Eli Lilly. In 1970 they married and moved out to California. Teaching was his passion, and from the early 1970s to the mid 1990s, Tom taught chemistry and physics at Hart. Many of his students pursued careers in the sciences, business, sports, media and even politics. Tom was well known around town and frequently bumped into former students.

For years, Tom was a regular in the local bowling leagues, and operated the Hart football scoreboard. He also enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing and hiking; he and Silvia re-kindled the local chapter of the Sierra Club in the early 1980s.

Tom was of course most proud of his three sons, David, Peter and Jeremy, all of whom were born and raised in the SCV. Tom is survived by them, as well as Silvia, and four grandchildren.