Thomas V. Dunder, 62, of Hermantown, died Monday, March 23, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke's in Duluth, surrounded by his family.

Tom was born October 4, 1963, in Grand Marais, Minnesota, the son of Victor Jr. and Patricia (Orr) Dunder. He grew up on the North Shore in Tofte and graduated from Cook County High School with the Class of 1982.

From an early age, Tom had a passion for flying. He attended Ely Junior College where he earned multiple pilot licenses and ratings. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Mankato State University, eventually becoming a commercial pilot.

Tom began his aviation career with Great Lakes Airlines and Reno Air before joining American Airlines, where he worked for many years and retired as a Captain. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, and biking, and in his younger years, playing softball. Tom valued the many friendships he built throughout his career in the airline industry.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Tom is survived by his three sisters, Diane Dunder of Superior, Mary Beth (Larry) Olsen of Saginaw, MN, and Patti Dunder of Inver Grove Heights, MN; nieces and nephews, Brian (Missy) Zuck, Jody (Josh) Orhn, Jaime (Nathan) Myrold, and Jeff (Candy) Cushman; great nieces and nephews, Tyler (Mullen), Hannah, Aili, Halle, Easton, Reagan, Teemu, and Breccan; and brother-in-law, Bill (Patti) Zuck.

A Celebration of Tom's Life will be held on Saturday April 11th from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. at Downs Life Celebration Center, 1902 N 34th St., Superior. Private family interment will be at a later date in Forest Hill Cemetery, Duluth.

Tom's family would like to give a special thank you to St. Luke's Hospital's doctors, nurses, and hospice care teams for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's name may be made to the Tofte Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 2293 Tofte, MN 55615.