Thomas Allen Dempster was a man in constant motion. Devoted cyclist, passionate environmentalist, electrical engineer, conservationist, and mountain explorer, Tom didn't—couldn't—sit still for long. Making the most of each day and perpetually "busy," he always stopped to express love for his wife and kids, help someone in need, or appreciate nature's subtle nuances. His boundless energy and astounding thoughtfulness make it most difficult to announce his sudden passing on April 14, 2015.
Born on March 1, 1957 in Philadelphia to Burton and Ellen Dempster, Tom grew up with brothers Keith and Bruce. A self-taught guru of electronics, there was no wiring diagram he couldn't read or broken circuit board he was unable to diagnose. Tom's lifelong joy for riding bicycles also became his sole mode of transportation. He viewed the bicycle as the vehicle of a new mentality, and his bike harmonized well with his advocacy for health, efficiency, self-reliance, simplicity, and cleanliness.
In 1979, while riding bicycles in the California Bay Area, Tom met his wife-to-be, Terry. Together they built a life of adventure, biking across the country, backpacking through distant mountain ranges, raising children Kyle and Molly, and eventually moving to Salt Lake City in 1995. Tom's greatest joy in life was biking and hiking around the nearby Wasatch Mountains with Terry, the "love of his life."
At 56, Tom retired (sort of) after working over thirty years in tech support. He kept his mind busy by operating a home business, repairing broken televisions, computer monitors, radios, and other small electronics; it was less about making money and more about "keeping them out of the landfill," he'd say. Tom contributed often to local politics by submitting to the Tribune's editorial section, and writing letters and emails voicing his opinions on issues he deemed unjust. During retirement he found great happiness biking with Terry to her job, finishing a hike with a cup of coffee at his son Kyle's coffee shop, and removing recyclable materials from roadside shoulders and scenic mountain places. But nothing brought him more happiness than "the greatest day of his life," walking his daughter Molly down the aisle to marry Sam in 2014.
Tom is survived and will be missed dearly by his wife Terry, son Kyle, daughter Molly, Jewell, Sam, brother Keith, and many more friends and family that he touched and inspired by his selflessness, thriftiness, intelligence, authenticity, high level of fitness, and love for his surroundings. If you pass a piece of debris on the trail or road, consider for a moment its place, pick it up in Tom's honor and find a way to recycle or reuse it.
A celebration of Tom's life will start at 2 pm on Saturday, April 25th at the home of Kyle Dempster in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Please join us: wear bright clothing, and bring a favorite photo or memory you have of Tom. In lieu of flowers, please show condolences by offering a donation to the Salt Lake Bike Collective at www.bicyclecollective.org. Thank you.
