Tyler Deierhoi
Dr. Tyler Deierhoi, 90, Professor Emeritus of History and longtime faculty member of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (UTC), passed away on October 18, 2022.
Known affectionately to many as TD and the Great Dane (due to his Danish heritage), Tyler grew up in Richmond VA, attended the college of William and Mary and graduated from the University of Richmond before entering Duke University where he earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history. He came to UTC in 1963, and during his tenure, served as Head of the History department for six years and was a member of numerous honorary societies until his retirement in 1996. The notorious class that he developed, “Heroes and Villains”, was hugely popular and was taken by countless UTC students.
A veteran of the Korean war era, he served three years in the Army Security Agency, two of which were served in Germany. His lifetime of community involvement included serving on the Boards of Directors of the Chattanooga Regional History Museum, the Friends of Chickamauga Park, the Interfaith Hospitality Network and the UTC Blue/Gold Club.
Most importantly, Tyler was a devoted and loving husband to Suzy, his wife of 40 years. He was a dedicated supporter of all his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors and a member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. When Tyler and Suzy joined their families in 1981, their union included their three daughters and three sons, and they became a brady bunch of sorts. Tyler and Suzy regarded themselves as a unit and they traveled the world extensively in the US, Europe and South America in their many adventures.
As an educator, historian, philosopher, naturalist and humanitarian, Tyler had an immense capacity for empathy, teaching, learning and giving to others, which inspired his family and others to be curious, philanthropic and to stand up as global citizens for what’s just and right. A humble man of unwavering integrity and many talents, Tyler was a natural athlete, a skillful builder and woodworker, and a masterful gardener. He was a lover of the arts, had a keen sense of humor and was an avid reader.
A lover of sports and a fierce competitor, Tyler began participating in sports in his youth and continued as a collegiate athlete and then throughout his entire adult life. A loyal fan, he religiously attended games for his beloved UTC Mocs, and he closely followed his Duke Blue Devils and Atlanta Braves. One of his legacies is the Deierhoi Cup, an annual family golf and beach trip that brought family together from all over the country.
Tyler is survived by his wife, Suzanne Miller Deierhoi; his children Linda Leigh, Sherra (Albert), Karen (David), Creech (Carolyn), Alan (Brenda) and Jeff (Lora); his five grandchildren Henry (Lila), Hannah, Conner, Jennings (John) and Linden; his brother, Frank; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members.
He lived fully, felt deeply, spoke thoughtfully and loved passionately. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church on Signal Mountain with a service at 3 p.m. and reception before at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church or the Alexian Village Scholarship Fund.