DOVER - Walter Thomas "Tom" Tate, 75, of Dover, died Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the Milford Center. Mr. Tate was born in Jackson, Tenn., the son of the late Thomas and Ocie Tate. Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a graduate of the University of Memphis, receiving two masters' degrees. Tom lived most of his adult life in the Washington, D.C. area specifically in Northern Va. He was a member of several bands in Northern Va. including the Kings Park band in Annandale and the Vienna community band. He worked for the U.S. Secret Service, retiring after 30 plus years of dedicated service. He and Claudette decided to move to Delaware several years ago. Tom played the Euphonium in the Milford Community Band, where he had been a committed and well respected member of that organization for 12 years. Tom also enjoyed the outdoors and loved skiing, kayaking and camping with his family. He also traveled extensively and enjoyed sharing stories of his travel adventures. Tom loved trains since he was very young, he had a large collection of paintings, photos and toy replicas. When Tom relaxed you could find him on the back deck or in his favorite chair smoking his pipe and reading a good book. He is survived by his wife, Claudette; daughter, Traci Tegler and her husband Chris; daughter, Tiffany Abel; stepson, Claude Siltman and his wife Monica; and six grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Brittany, Kaylee, Brendan and Mary. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Milford Community Band, 616 Cedarwood Avenue, Milford, DE 19963. Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford.