John Toman

Col. John Toman, a resident of Pleasanton and a Lab retiree, died April 23. He was 79.

Born May 5, 1930, in Scranton, Pa., he graduated from Girard College in Philadelphia and from the West Point Military Academy in 1953. He was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers and served a tour in Korea in 1954 as a combat engineer.

He earned a master’s degree in physics and civil engineering from the University of Illinois. Later, he resigned his active U.S. Army commission to accept a position at LLNL where he served for 26 years, retiring as a senior scientist in 1990.

He retired as a member of the Army reserves after 30 years of military service in 1983 as the commandant of a U.S. Army reserve school for which he was awarded the highest military award in peace time, the Legion of Merit.

His passions for the last 20 years of his life were: serving as chairman, CEO, and president of Pan American Resources Inc., a public company with a patented system for converting landfill waste into electricity; and his national speaking engagements as an expert on energy and environmental issues.

Toman, affectionately known to many simply as, “the Colonel”, touched many lives with his boundless optimism.

He was a member of St. Augustine's Catholic parish and enjoyed world travel, woodworking, golf, performing as a vocalist and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Toman; children John J. Toman of Oakdale, Calif., Lani Toman of Redondo Beach, Calif., Tom Toman of Pleasanton, Lindy Chase of Loxahatchee, Fla., Chris Toman of Livermore; and eight grandchildren.

Services have been held. Memorial contributions may be made in the name of John Toman, Class of 1947, to the Girard College, 2101 South College Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121.