LYME, NH — Trent Toensing, known by his family as ‘T-Love,” was most at peace in or on the water. He loved Lake Champlain, full sails, good rum, skinny dipping, and hiking with his dog. He was quick with a smile and had a devilish sense of humor.
Trent died on August 4, 2019 at his home in Lyme, NH. He suffered from a degenerative neck injury from a ski crash. Chronic nerve pain had consumed him for years and in the end he succumbed to the agony.
Trent was born in 1939 in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in Indiana. He attended Indiana University where he swam for the legendary coach James (Doc) Counsilman and was on the undefeated 1960 swimming and diving team. After college, while a U S Navy commissioned officer, he served aboard the destroyer USS Mullany.
The sport of swimming remained important to him throughout his life. Trent was instrumental in organizing the first Masters swim group in the Upper Valley. He competed into his mid 70s and worked out in the pool up until his death. In 2014, at the World Masters Championship in Montreal, he placed 7th in the 50 free and became a World Masters Champion, swimming the backstroke leg of the 200 mixed medley relay in the 280+ age category.
As one of his fellow swimmers wrote: Trent adored being in the water. It both soothed and energized his body. And he loved everything surrounding the sport – the hard work, the rewards, the swim buddies, the sense of team, and the idea that we’re all part of a community.
The competitive streak he showed in the pool carried over to the business world. Charming and charismatic, Trent had a natural affinity for connecting with people. After becoming the head of sales for a large medical billing company he left at age 50 to start his own business – the tremendously successful Triad Medical Billing Services. Years later, he would still break into a smile whenever he talked about the numerous clients he lured over to Triad. Later he volunteered with SCORE, a nonprofit dedicated to helping small businesses.
Always game for a hike, a ski, or a laugh, he passed on his love of the outdoors to his three children who carry on his spirit of play and engagement with the natural world and are passing that on to their children. One way to honor Trent’s memory is to get outside, say hello to a stranger and push your physical abilities a little harder than you think you can handle.
In addition to his three children, Todd, Brady, and Amy, he is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen and his step-children, Jennifer and Heather. He also had eight grandchildren whom he adored: Johannes, Colby, Zach, Adelaide, Lily, Tyl-Elle, Tuxel, and Elsa Rose. He is also survived by his siblings, Craig and Cathy Sloan Henderson. He was predeceased by parents, Elizabeth and Clifford, and his siblings, Bart and Pat.
There will be a celebration of Trent’s life later this year. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Upper Valley Aquatic Club (https://uvacswim.org/about/support-uvac/)