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The couple traveled the world sharing their expertise until Tommy���ӽ紫ý sudden death on Feb. 8, 2014. Today, Chris Dendy carries on their work through conference appearances and publications.

In a tribute to Tommy, Attention magazine devoted two pages of its April 2015 issue to his contributions to the world of ADHD. Three leaders in the field wrote testimonials on how Tommy Dendy changed their lives, and ultimately changed the world.

“Tommy reminded all who would listen, ‘Kids with ADHD want to succeed; they don’t want to fail,’” wrote Thomas E. Brown, PhD, Yale University School of Medicine. “Tommy learned the hard way. He did not conceal what many others would hide. He gave the stories of his experience as a generous gift so that other parents could come more directly to providing the loving, patient and consistent support he learned to provide his family.”

Dendy had served 11 years as a Lt. Commander in the ���ӽ紫ý Navy. He went on to work 30 years for Rock-Tenn Company, retiring as senior vice president. Many men would have stopped at these accomplishments, ready for retirement. But Dendy had a passion for educating parents, teachers, doctors, and anyone who would listen, about the effects of ADHD, and the many ways to treat children so they could be successful. His specialty was sharing his own story with other fathers who may misunderstand their child���ӽ紫ý behavior.

Terry M. Dickson, MD, ACG, CPCC, with The Behavioral Medicine Clinic of NW Michigan, described Dendy���ӽ紫ý unique contributions in the Attention article.

“Because he did not grow up with ADHD, his message expressed the fear and frustration he once held about his own children���ӽ紫ý future, the mistakes he had made in disciplining them and the challenges of being a father to children with ADHD,” Dickson wrote. “Fortunately, his wisdom was captured for future generations through his passionate presentation in Father to Father. Tommy insisted upon the addition of a section titled ‘A Military Dad���ӽ紫ý Perspective on Discipline.’”

The most poignant tribute in the Attention magazine article was written by Bryan Didier, ADHDKC CHADD. Didier relates the number of similarities he had with Tommy.

They were both Navy men, professional businessmen, and fathers of children with ADHD.

“Like Tommy, I am the father of two sons diagnosed with ADHD. And like Tommy, I thought that discipline was the right solution to train them to be ‘normal.’ And like Tommy, I’ve had to learn the hard way that discipline isn’t the right answer. But unlike Tommy, I’ve had the fortune to have someone blaze and illuminate a better path for me to follow. And that someone who gave me a North Star to sail by was Tommy Dendy,” wrote Didier.

Many people leave a legacy of family, friends, or business successes. Only a few leave behind a lasting legacy of change as Tommy Dendy did.

“He���ӽ紫ý made the world a better place – he���ӽ紫ý made me a better father and husband,” Didier wrote. “He taught me to parent with more patience and compassion, and he taught me how to better understand and relate to my sons. He gave me the ultimate gift of hope.”

Didier concluded the Attention tribute article by speaking for families everywhere who have heard Tommy Dendy share his story, through conferences, articles, books and DVD���ӽ紫ý.

Didier wrote, “On behalf of all the parents of children with ADHD whose lives you’ve touched, thank you, Tommy, for giving us the courage and coordinates to sail our voyage.”

To learn more about Chris and Tommy Dendy’s award winning work on ADHD, including the DVD Father to Father: Advice from the Experts!, visit . To learn more about CHADD and Attention magazine, visit .