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Thomas E. “Tom” Teesdale, Jr., 62, West Branch
Obituaries · July 24, 2014



Mr. Thomas E. Teesdale, Jr., 62, of West Branch, Iowa, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014, at 12:10 p.m. in Emmetsburg, Iowa, after beginning his second day of riding in Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

He was born March 14, 1952, in LaHarpe, Ill., the son of Thomas E. and Norma Duhs Teesdale Sr. In 1980, he married Cathy Jo Dunker.

She survives along with his mother, Norma Teesdale of rural Niota, Ill.; four sons: John T. (Ruth) Teesdale of Riverside, Iowa, Matthew H. (Beth) Teesdale of Niota, Ill., Andrew J. Teesdale of West Branch, Iowa, and Jacob J. (Meghan) Teesdale of Marion, Iowa; one daughter, Kate M.J. (Joe) Teesdale of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two grandchildren, Henry and Annabella Teesdale; one sister, Cathy (Richard) Smith of Omaha, Neb., one nephew, Aaron (Jodi) Smith of Jasper, Ind., and three great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Mr Teesdale was raised in Niota, Ill. He graduated from Nauvoo/Colusa High School in 1970 and was valedictorian of his class. He later graduated with honors from Western Illinois University with a degree in mathematics and minor in physics. He owned and operated T.E.T. Cycles since 1976. Mr. Teesdale was one of the most prolific frame builders in mountain bike history. He was responsible for early production runs of many of the key mountain bike developments, and many custom frame builds. His work included, but was not limited to, work for Cycle Imports (Cirrus), Fisher Mtn. Bikes (Mt. Tam 1982-1989), Marin Team Issue, Quintana Roo Superform, Brave Racing Cycles, The Bicycle Group, Kona, Barracuda, Terry Precision, Univega/Lawee, Yokota Halfdome 93, Giordano Jaguarundi, Dean USA, Pterocycles. Dirt Research, Norway, and Schlick Cycles. He built Joe Murray designed Voodoo Canzo unified rear suspension frame, and the Jamis Fire Dragon (853) and the Dragon Fly for Aermet. His work has also been displayed at the Chicago Bicycle Show. He also built the frame for the Bob Weir, Grateful Dead bike. He died doing what he loved, riding his bicycle. Messages from the bicycle community may be left on the TET Cycles Facebook page.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, July 25, 2014, at the Myers Cemetery near Niota, Ill., with Ron Leonard officiating. Visitation will be held at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, Ill., from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday. Condolences may be left at www.banksandbeals.com.