Wednesday, November 12, 2025

A00148 - Toussaint Timothy Tildon, Jr., Amherst College Class of 1949

  • Before resuming our journey through the 1970s on the Memorial List, we pause to go backwards for a rather important member of our community.  We go back to remember, Toussaint Timothy Tildon, Jr., a member of the Amherst College Class of 1949.  Known as Tim during his Amherst days, Tim was a graduate of the nearby Mount Hermon School in Gill Massachusetts.  Tim was a chemistry and biology major.  At Amherst, he was fairly active.  He joined the Lord Jeff Club and participated on the Amherst College Sailing Club.  He belonged to the Christian Association, the Lord Jeff Athletic Service Society, and wrote for The Amherst Student.

    After graduation from Amherst, Tim served as a private in the United States Army for two years before matriculating at the Howard University Medical School. He received a medical degree from Howard and then embarked on a long medical career which is lovingly documented by the obituary set forth below.

    Peace,

    Everett "Skip" Jenkins
    Class of 1975
    November 12, 2025


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    TIMOTHY T. TILDON | 1927 - 2025 | Obituary

    TIMOTHY T. TILDON

    Visitation
    Tuesday, Apr 8, 2025
    3:00 PM-7:00 PM

    Funeral Service
    Wednesday, Apr 9, 2025
    11:00 AM-12:00 PM

    TIMOTHY T. TILDON

    August 7, 1927 - March 26, 2025

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    Obituary
    Dr. Timothy T. Tildon, the son of Dr. Toussaint T. Tildon, Sr. and Margaret G. Tildon, was born
    August 7, 1927, in Tuskegee, Alabama. During his youth Timothy was exposed to many
    significant events that shaped African American History: His father, Dr. Tildon, Sr. served as
    one of the early directors of the Tuskegee Veterans’ Administration Hospital (for many years it
    was the only VA hospital that would care for African American veterans), and his maternal
    grandfather Charles W. Greene was recruited by Booker T. Washington to teach at Tuskegee
    Institute (currently Tuskegee University). Following in these footsteps, Timothy spent time
    working in the laboratory of Dr. George Washington Carver and was acquainted with several of
    the brave men who became the pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
    Timothy was educated at Mount Hermon School (1941-1945), and Amherst College (1945-
    1949). He served his country as a Private in the Army from 1950-1951. After serving, he
    entered Howard University College of Medicine, receiving the Doctor of Medicine degree in
    1955. Upon completing his general surgical training at Freedman’s Hospital (now known as
    Howard University Hospital), Timothy moved his young family back to Tuskegee where he
    practiced as a general surgeon and joined the Army Reserves Medical Corps as a Captain. Soon
    after, he assumed the position of Assistant Chief of Surgical Services at the Tuskegee VA
    Hospital.
    In 1964, Timothy moved his family to Los Angeles, Ca. to pursue training in the prestigious
    discipline of Thoracic Surgery. After completing that advanced training, Timothy held several
    positions including Associate Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the Wadsworth VA Hospital, Clinical
    Surgical Instructor at UCLA School of Medicine, Chief of Staff at The Morningside Hospital,
    and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at California Hospital Medical Center. He also
    maintained a private practice from 1967 until his retirement in 2003. Timothy was the antithesis
    of the stereotypical surgeon, never condescending or dismissive to colleagues or subordinates.
    He expected excellence, so he exemplified excellence in all that he did with his work. He
    depended on input from all members of his surgical teams - from the student doctors to the
    referring physicians to the nurses - and he respected everyone’s opinion. Members of the
    medical, surgical and nursing staff frequently mentioned his kindness and professionalism. It
    should be noted that Timothy postponed his retirement at least twice because he thoroughly
    loved his career.
    Timothy met Elizabeth Z. Acance, a member of Nursing leadership at California Hospital
    Medical Center, and they were married on March 26, 1995. On several occasions, Timothy
    expressed to his daughter that Beth was the most wonderful wife that he could ever imagine
    having. During their thirty years together, they led a quiet life. They enjoyed their Marina del
    Rey home and spent time walking along the waterfronts and through the parks that surrounded
    the Marina, always making time for weekend brunches at neighborhood restaurants. They
    enjoyed short but meaningful trips: New Orleans to experience the French Quarter;
    Massachusetts and New Hampshire to see the fall foliage; and, one of their last vacations
    together, a road trip through Alabama starting in his hometown of Tuskegee and then leisurely
    driving to historic areas in central and northern Alabama.
    Timothy lived a long life and enjoyed relatively good health, playing golf weekly for many years
    with his closest friends. On August 12, 2017, his extended family and friends traveled to LA for
    his 90th birthday bash, a rare and beautiful hallmark. In the years that followed, chronic medical
    conditions contributed to a decline that culminated in his peaceful passing on March 26, 2025.
    He was lovingly and skillfully cared for at home by Beth and his care-givers Hilda and Robert,
    until the end.
    Dr. Timothy T. Tildon is survived by his wife Elizabeth Z. Acance Tildon, his daughter Dr.
    Donna Tildon-Archer, his son-in-law Dr. Michael O. Archer, and his grandchildren Michael
    Tildon Archer and Catherine Sheryl Archer. He is also survived by Thomas Jones Calhoun, his
    godson and nephew, William S. Wood and Eugene T. Wood, his nephews, Margaret Calhoun
    Williams, Susan V. Calhoun, Myla Calhoun Choy and Maria Calhoun Charlton, his nieces.
    His passing is also mourned by members of Beth’s strong family, his brother in laws Elmer Z.
    Acance, Jun Z. Acance, and her cousins, Heidi Z. Molina, Felipe C. Molina, Edna Z.
    Vicencio, Benjamin R. Vicencio. He is also mounred by his very loyal and loving friend, Mr.
    William L. Harris, Jr. and many acquaintances from his time at California Hospital Medical
    Center.


    To plant Memorial Trees in memory of TIMOTHY T. TILDON, please click here to visit our sympathy store.



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Nickname

  • Tim

Amherst Name

  • Toussaint T Tildon

Amherst Relatives

  • Beth Tildon W'49
No data available

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Employment Information

    Former

    • Physician
      Self Employed
      Start:
      01/1960
      End:
      04/2003
    • Resident
      Fisk University
      Start:
      01/1956
      End:
      01/1960
    • Private
      US Army
      Start:
      01/1950
      End:
      01/1951

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    Reunion Class

    • 1949

    Graduation Year

    • 1949

    Major(s)

    • Biology; Chemistry

    Secondary Schools

    • Mount Hermon School

    Higher Ed

    • Howard University
      Field of Study:
      Surgery
      Degree:
      Doctor of Medicine
      Year:
      1955

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    Fraternity

    • Lord Jeff Club

    Extracurricular Activities

    • Amherst College Sailing Club
    • Christian Association
    • Lord Jeff Athletic Service Society
    • The Amherst Student
    • The Jeff
    No data available

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     TIMOTHY T. TILDON 

    | 1927 - 2025 | Obituary

    TIMOTHY T. TILDON

    Visitation
    Tuesday, Apr 8, 2025
    3:00 PM-7:00 PM

    Funeral Service
    Wednesday, Apr 9, 2025
    11:00 AM-12:00 PM

    TIMOTHY T. TILDON

    August 7, 1927 - March 26, 2025

    Share this obituary
    Share on Facebook Share on X Share in Email

    Obituary
    Dr. Timothy T. Tildon, the son of Dr. Toussaint T. Tildon, Sr. and Margaret G. Tildon, was born
    August 7, 1927, in Tuskegee, Alabama. During his youth Timothy was exposed to many
    significant events that shaped African American History: His father, Dr. Tildon, Sr. served as
    one of the early directors of the Tuskegee Veterans’ Administration Hospital (for many years it
    was the only VA hospital that would care for African American veterans), and his maternal
    grandfather Charles W. Greene was recruited by Booker T. Washington to teach at Tuskegee
    Institute (currently Tuskegee University). Following in these footsteps, Timothy spent time
    working in the laboratory of Dr. George Washington Carver and was acquainted with several of
    the brave men who became the pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
    Timothy was educated at Mount Hermon School (1941-1945), and Amherst College (1945-
    1949). He served his country as a Private in the Army from 1950-1951. After serving, he
    entered Howard University College of Medicine, receiving the Doctor of Medicine degree in
    1955. Upon completing his general surgical training at Freedman’s Hospital (now known as
    Howard University Hospital), Timothy moved his young family back to Tuskegee where he
    practiced as a general surgeon and joined the Army Reserves Medical Corps as a Captain. Soon
    after, he assumed the position of Assistant Chief of Surgical Services at the Tuskegee VA
    Hospital.
    In 1964, Timothy moved his family to Los Angeles, Ca. to pursue training in the prestigious
    discipline of Thoracic Surgery. After completing that advanced training, Timothy held several
    positions including Associate Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the Wadsworth VA Hospital, Clinical
    Surgical Instructor at UCLA School of Medicine, Chief of Staff at The Morningside Hospital,
    and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at California Hospital Medical Center. He also
    maintained a private practice from 1967 until his retirement in 2003. Timothy was the antithesis
    of the stereotypical surgeon, never condescending or dismissive to colleagues or subordinates.
    He expected excellence, so he exemplified excellence in all that he did with his work. He
    depended on input from all members of his surgical teams - from the student doctors to the
    referring physicians to the nurses - and he respected everyone’s opinion. Members of the
    medical, surgical and nursing staff frequently mentioned his kindness and professionalism. It
    should be noted that Timothy postponed his retirement at least twice because he thoroughly
    loved his career.
    Timothy met Elizabeth Z. Acance, a member of Nursing leadership at California Hospital
    Medical Center, and they were married on March 26, 1995. On several occasions, Timothy
    expressed to his daughter that Beth was the most wonderful wife that he could ever imagine
    having. During their thirty years together, they led a quiet life. They enjoyed their Marina del
    Rey home and spent time walking along the waterfronts and through the parks that surrounded
    the Marina, always making time for weekend brunches at neighborhood restaurants. They
    enjoyed short but meaningful trips: New Orleans to experience the French Quarter;
    Massachusetts and New Hampshire to see the fall foliage; and, one of their last vacations
    together, a road trip through Alabama starting in his hometown of Tuskegee and then leisurely
    driving to historic areas in central and northern Alabama.
    Timothy lived a long life and enjoyed relatively good health, playing golf weekly for many years
    with his closest friends. On August 12, 2017, his extended family and friends traveled to LA for
    his 90th birthday bash, a rare and beautiful hallmark. In the years that followed, chronic medical
    conditions contributed to a decline that culminated in his peaceful passing on March 26, 2025.
    He was lovingly and skillfully cared for at home by Beth and his care-givers Hilda and Robert,
    until the end.
    Dr. Timothy T. Tildon is survived by his wife Elizabeth Z. Acance Tildon, his daughter Dr.
    Donna Tildon-Archer, his son-in-law Dr. Michael O. Archer, and his grandchildren Michael
    Tildon Archer and Catherine Sheryl Archer. He is also survived by Thomas Jones Calhoun, his
    godson and nephew, William S. Wood and Eugene T. Wood, his nephews, Margaret Calhoun
    Williams, Susan V. Calhoun, Myla Calhoun Choy and Maria Calhoun Charlton, his nieces.
    His passing is also mourned by members of Beth’s strong family, his brother in laws Elmer Z.
    Acance, Jun Z. Acance, and her cousins, Heidi Z. Molina, Felipe C. Molina, Edna Z.
    Vicencio, Benjamin R. Vicencio. He is also mounred by his very loyal and loving friend, Mr.
    William L. Harris, Jr. and many acquaintances from his time at California Hospital Medical
    Center.


    To plant Memorial Trees in memory of TIMOTHY T. TILDON, please click here to visit our sympathy store.


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