Denis Wayne Tochterman, 91

Denis Wayne Tochterman, 91, was received into the presence of God on July 28, 2026, peacefully at his home.  

Born October 15, 1934, in Bothell, Wash., to LeRoy Burdette Tochterman and Alice Charlotte (Pfost), Denis lived a life marked by service to his country and fellow man, his love of nature and his love of family.  

Being born into humble beginnings on a farm in Mill Creek, Wash., his family sold chickens and crops at the Seattle Pike Place Market. In 1952, at 17, he graduated from Bellevue High School and furthered his education in Los Angeles, earning a CAA aircraft and engine mechanics license from Northrup Aeronautical Institute. Moving back to Bellevue he took a position with Boeing, in Seattle, assembling B-52s. 

In 1954 Denis joined the Air Force and trained in Harlingen, Texas, graduating in June 1955 as a second lieutenant navigator.  Starting his career at Eglin AFB in Florida, his qualifications later took him to two tours in Japan, one tour in Taiwan and one tour in Greenland. His missions were split between flying, primarily C-130s (although he flew in 16 other aircraft) and aircraft maintenance. At 39 and after 20 years in, Denis retired as lieutenant colonel in 1974.  

His next career would afford him an opportunity to work alongside his father in the commercial property management industry until his second retirement in 1994.  

Moving to Sandpoint in 1997, Denis and his wife Muriel would then spend many more years exploring the world, enjoying many forms of transportation, to all 50 states as well as several Canadian provinces and several European countries, eventually touching every continent. 

Denis enjoyed hiking, gardening, fishing, golfing and his involvement in Rotary International, which he was actively involved from 1983 until his passing.

Denis is reunited in peace with his wife, Muriel, and leaves behind five children, Connie Grant (Rich), Christopher (Lori), Linda Gaskins, Thomas B., (Bonnie) and Thomas L. (Julie); eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Charlotte Azelia Tochterman.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sandpoint with light refreshments to follow. Please join the family in honoring and remembering Denis’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Rotary International Club of Sandpoint.

Family and friends are invited to sign Denis' online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.