Thomas Eichler, DDS

October 13, 1947 ~ July 12, 2023
A dedicated member of his community and a fixture of Reston ever since moving there in 1974, Dr. Thomas Jacob Eichler, DDS, was a force of nature. Infamous for regaling patients with his stories (and subjecting that captive audience to his puns), Tom founded his practice at Lake Anne in 1976 and went on to become a partner at Reston Dental Arts Center in 1985 for more than 25 years, seeing to the dental health of generations of families. His family quickly got used to strangers approaching them with smiling exclamations of “You’re Dr. Eichler’s wife/daughter/son!” Restonians could hear his booming tenor voice belting out hymns at St John Neumann Catholic Church–where he and his wife Diana were parishioners since its founding–during the annual Eichler Christmas caroling parties on Barton Hill Rd, or at karaoke night at Champs with colleagues.
A lifelong golfer, Tom shared his love of the sport with family and friends. From Pebble Beach to the Old Course at St. Andrews, golf was a driving force (pun intended) in Tom’s life. A decades’ long member of Hidden Creek Country Club, he was intent on teaching all three of his kids to play by age 5 and always seemed to find time to hit the links on vacations, from Ireland to Hawaii to Williamsburg. Travel was intrinsic to Tom’s personality, and there was nowhere he would rather have been than on vacation, especially with family. Whether it was camping his way across the national parks, soaking up the sunshine in California, or touring Europe, he was always ready to get away. One of his favorite getaways was the family’s cabin on the Cacapon River in WV. Built in 1990, the cabin became Tom’s retreat, where he would embark on annual “River Rat” canoe trips for his guy friends, host Thanksgiving with extended family, and relax on weekends with his wife, fishing while she painted.
Tom loved his cars. He measured his life by which sports car he was driving during milestone events: a Triumph Spitfire when he and Diana first met, a Ford Mustang when he hit his 40s, a 1967 Austen Healy when his daughter got married, a Honda S2000 when he retired, a Corvette Stingray to celebrate his anniversary by driving Route 66. Nothing quite matched the thrill of test driving a new car, and there was nothing Tom liked more than going for a drive with the top down through the Virginia countryside.
Exuberant, devoted, and larger than life, Tom was a family man through and through, and he loved his family fiercely. He passed away on 12 July 2023 and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diana; his sister Bonnie; his kids, Jeremy, Katie, and Meg; his grandkids Sophie, William, Oliver, and Theo. Services for Tom will be held on 24 July at 11 am at St. John Neumann parish in Reston, with a reception to follow. The mass will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person–please see this site at a later date closer to the funeral for the link. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Tom’s name are welcome.
Services
Service: July 24, 2023 11:00 am
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
11900 Lawyers Road
Reston, VA 20191
703-860-8510
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2023-07-24 11:00:00
2023-07-24 11:00:00
ThomasEichler, DDSService
Service
11900 Lawyers Road,Reston, VA 20191
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Thomas Eichler, DDS 's name.
Thoughts and prayers for healing are being sent to you and your family. Mr. Eichler, as I knew him, created so many cool memories for me as I was growing up; Christmas Caroling being the top
Of the list!! Thank you for sharing him with everyone that lived on Barton Hill!
-Bjorn Tobey
So very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing.I always had a great time in his company especially as a fellow River Rat !For at least 15 years I didn’t miss the 1st Sat in May on the Cacopin.He enjoyed his friends but you knew his family was what mattered most. I’m going to have a shot of Irish whiskey in his honor
I have spent my entire life looking to fill Dr. Eichler’s shoes when it came to dentists. Alas, no one could do the job. My siblings and I started seeing him very early on (late 70’s/80’s) and I have never forgotten his kindness and gentle nature. We are so sorry for your loss, and for the loss of a life well-lived
Very sorry to hear of your loss and my prayers are with you and your family. I only met Tom a handful of times as one of Jeremy’s friends. But my brother and I did get to spend a fantastic weekend many years ago on one of the epic river trips he put together. I think we came in last but there was a whiskey waiting for us tired souls. Here’s to you Tom!
So very sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. We have fond memories of our kids growing up together in the Reston area and the many interactions at Hidden Creek over the years. Tom was a great example of a dedicated husband, father and friend. Wishing the family peace in the memories that you have created with Tom over the years.
I was saddened to hear that Dr. Eichler had passed away. He was my dentist from 1992 up until his retirement. He was the best, always smiling and had a good sense of humor. My condolences to your family.