CHICO — Savant. Generous. Salt of the earth. Best of the best. These descriptors of Tom Dauterman, among others, emerged Tuesday afternoon as Chicoans reflected upon their hometown entrepreneur and philanthropist who died Monday at age 81 after a long bout with cancer.
“Tommy D. was a friend and mentor to countless people,” said City Councilor Sean Morgan, who served with Dauterman on the board of Northern California National Bank. “He was a father figure to me, and no one has ever believed in me the way he did. His exceptionalism was driven by the love he had and received from the love of his life, Sue.”
Councilor and friend Tom van Overbeek called Dauterman “a savant” for revolutionizing technology for nut-tree harvesting without formal training as a mechanical engineer — and “generous” in contributing to numerous causes, many through the Tom and Sue Dauterman Foundation. He supported Enloe Health and the Salvation Army. He was a 35-year member of Chico Rotary, which gave him its community service award in 2007, and he donated resources and time to agricultural programs at local high schools.
“He was a salt of the earth guy,” former Mayor Georgie Bellin said.
Another former mayor, Mark Sorensen, currently Chico’s city manager, met Dauterman 45 years ago when repairing his television (an RCA CTC81, to be precise). By then, Dauterman had established Thomas Welding & Machine — now called Thomas Manufacturing — and Thomas Hydraulic & Hardware Supply.
“Tom had a deep love for Chico and was an immense supporter personally and through his businesses,” Sorensen said. “He and Sue were far more generous than is widely known, as he preferred to keep a low profile or be anonymous with his wide-ranging, immensely generous support of the community of Chico.”
‘A local giant’
A graduate of Durham High School, Dauterman worked for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. before renting a small space in Chico to open a building and fabrication shop that grew into Thomas Manufacturing, which foreman Paul Woodmansee said is “the largest custom fabrication and machine shop north of Sacramento.” Dauterman opened the hydraulic business in 1974. The two businesses employ 70 people.
“He reinvented the process of almond harvesting and designed and built the equipment,” van Overbeek said. “This man was a local giant.”
Woodmansee, an employee for 18 years, noted Dauterman would sketch out a mechanical design on a legal pad and “it made sense” — it worked. “Savant is a good word for him,” Woodmansee said. As is generous.
“Tom was really actively involved with helping his employees,” he continued. “This is a very family-focused business, and the positive impact he’s had on both myself as well as countless other employees and their families is immeasurable.”
Dauterman had a similar impact at the bank he co-founded. He served on Northern California National Bank board from the founding in 2006 until its sale in 2021. Todd Lewis, the bank’s CEO who started as chief financial officer in 2007, remembers Dauterman bringing the acumen from Thomas Manufacturing to decisions in the financial sector.
“He was a genius, no doubt, but the most humble of geniuses,” Lewis said. “He’d say, ‘Not bad for a dumb welder!’ That’s the image he portrayed. But the reality is he was a savant.
“He was an architect, an engineer, an innovator, a designer, a welder. He did it all from start to finish. He was the best of the best.”
Dino Corbin, general manager of Deer Creek Broadcasting and a long-time friend, said, “We lost a true Chico treasure. Tom’s path to heaven is lined with all his friendship, kindness and unlimited generosity to our community.”
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