Named in honor of David J. Tholen {1955– }, planetary scientist at the Institute for Astronomy of the University of Hawaii. Tholen’s work on the eight-color survey of minor planets led him to devise an improved taxonomy of minor planets. He has considered the physical properties of minor planets, satellites and comets in terms of composition and evolution, and he was among the first to observe events in the series of occultations and transits now occurring between Pluto and its satellite Charon. (M 11749) _ _.