Thomas Andrew Dierauf

Thomas Andrew Dierauf died on December 29th, 2024, after an extended illness. He was born February 13th, 1930, in Hackensack, New Jersey, to Edward J. Dierauf and Martha Frances Dierauf. He graduated from Tenafly High School where he was voted most likely to succeed. He was a Phi Beta Kappa at Rutgers University, and a member of the wrestling team which competed in national finals. Following graduation, he served in the Air Force. After a year-long Jeep trip through South America, he earned an MS in forestry at Yale University. He then came to Virginia, where he began a 38 year career with the Virginia Department of Forestry. He was first assigned to Tappahannock, where he was a Boy Scout leader and played on the local softball team. There he met his future wife, Marguerite. They moved to Charlottesville where he served for 30 years as director of forest research.

Tom loved everything out of doors– the woods, wildflowers, hiking, camping, birding, canoeing, and leading nature walks. He was a natural teacher and loved sharing his incredible knowledge with eager learners. He cherished the many friends he met through those activities.

Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marguerite Gordon Dierauf; sons, Thomas A. Dierauf Jr. of Calloway, Virginia, and Roland F. Dierauf of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina; and amazing grandchildren, Madeline and Townsend Dierauf. He was predeceased by his brother Edward Dierauf and beloved daughter-in-law, Beth.

Services for Tom will be private.