Thomas King Wyatt
Jan. 20, 1936-May 29, 2025
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Kelly Wyatt Atkinson

It is with great sadness that the family of Thomas King Wyatt announces his passing on May 29, 2025. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.

Born in San Francisco to Francis and Dorothy Wyatt on January 20, 1936, Tom was the eldest of three brothers. His family had deep Bay Area roots along with a strong connection to Peru, where he and his siblings spent their formative years and became fluent Spanish speakers.

Tom had a distinguished career as a bilingual dentist, serving patients and multiple generations of their families for nearly fifty years. His dedication to patient care was matched by his love of adventure, music, repairing the unrepairable, and grilling the perfect steak.

A skilled pilot, mariner, and engineer, Tom found his greatest joy in the air, on the water, in a duck blind, and in his workshop. His uncanny ability to fix any broken household item, motorcycle, or car — including his beloved Porsche 911 purchased in 1972 — bordered on the magical. (This includes his decades-long maintenance of the car’s original clutch and brakes, which was an immense point of pride.) His love of music was reflected in his masterful guitar and ukulele skills as well as his eclectic collection of vinyl and eight-track tapes, all of which provided a rich soundtrack to his family’s life.

Tom graduated from Stanford University in 1957. In 1965, he graduated from the School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific and married Sheila Mary Foster (Sheila Foster Wyatt), who preceded him in death just two months ago. They spent their entire married life on the Peninsula, where they raised their two children, Kelly and Michael.

Tom is survived by his children, Kelly (Duncan) Atkinson and Mike (Gretchen) Wyatt and grandchildren, Andrew, Morgan and Amy Wyatt, and extended family and friends in the US, Singapore, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

He was an innovator who spoke of the internet, databases, and simulators before most of us knew they existed. May Tom rest in peace and know that his spirit lives on in his family and friends.

The family wishes to thank Stanford Hospital and his nurses, PAs, and doctors for their tremendous support, skill, and kindness. Special thank yous to Genevieve, Caitlin, and Morgan.

A celebration of life for Tom and Sheila was held on May 31, 2025. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Save the Redwoods or Peninsula Open Space Trust.