Richard Vincent `` Dick '' Van Patten ( December 9 , 1928 -- June 23 , 2015 ) was an American actor , businessman , and animal welfare advocate , best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the ABC television comedy-drama `` Eight Is Enough '' .
Richard Vincent `` Dick '' Van Patten ( December 9 , 1928 -- June 23 , 2015 ) was an American actor , businessman , and animal welfare advocate . He was best known for his role as Tom Bradford on the television sitcom `` Eight is Enough '' .