Oesterling

Thomas O. Oesterling passed away on Feb. 22, 2023, under hospice care in Naples, Fla.

Tom was born March 6, 1938, in Butler, the fifth child of Victor K. and Marjorie (Oswald) Oesterling. He graduated from Butler High School, attended Capital University and graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Pharmacy (with honors), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Butler High School and Ohio State University. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was active as an adult leader in scouting.

Dr. Oesterling's entire career was in the pharmaceutical health care industry. He started as a laboratory scientist at the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company in Kalamazoo, Mich., where he was a published author and patentee.

He then advanced to research management positions, which he held at Upjohn, the Johnson & Johnson Co. and Mallinckrodt Inc. While at Johnson & Johnson, in his role as Director of Dermatological Research and Development, Dr. Oesterling participated in the development and commercialization of the first sunscreen with an SPF.

In the later stages of his career, he was president of biotechnology companies in Boston, Mass. and Cleveland, Ohio. At Collaborative Research Inc. in Boston, he led the development and commercialization of the first diagnostic test for human identity based on DNA.

Surviving are his best friend and life companion, Cynthia G. MacLeod; two sons, Thomas O. Oesterling Jr. of Boston, Mass., and Daniel J. Oesterling of Santa Fe, N.M.; and one daughter, Jennifer L. Oesterling (Myers) of Albuquerque, N.M. Tom was also the proud grandfather of Evelyn Victoria Oesterling Mobley; and father-in-law to John D. Myers of Albuquerque, N.M. Tom will be greatly missed by his many nieces and nephews, as well as cousins and extended family.

Tom and Cindy spent their retirement years in Naples, Fla., and Westfield, N.Y., where they enjoyed sailing in the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Erie, golfing and hosting family and friends as often as possible. They traveled extensively and enjoyed their time together immensely.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2023, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, with a reception to follow at the Applebutter Inn.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.