Obituaries

When I think back on my relationship with Tim the first reaction I have is to smile. Tim was a rare find. He was extremely intelligent and equally kind. He was respectful and appreciative in all of his conversation resulting in creating trusting relationships. He brought humor into his conversations which was a welcome approach. I could see many individuals truly admire him. He will be remembered in my heart as a person of genuine kindness, a caring leader and a man deserving of respect. I look at how fortunate I was to have Tim a part of my life. His loving wife was a benefit to knowing Tim. The two of them will always hold a special place for me as every interaction with them was a pleasant experience. My husband (former military) was fortunate to spend time with Tim in his house walking through the tour of memories that were important to Tim. My husband was honored to know Tim and saddened to hear of this loss. May his family gamer some comfort in knowing Tim touched lives in a positive way. He was a man who made a difference and was a constant reminder of what is GOOD in this world.

Posted by Chyerl Wolfe-Lee on February 18, 2021

Tim was was one in a million. I was extremely fortunate to be able to hire Tim at Western Washington University following his distinguished career with the Army Corps of Engineers. In my role as vice president for business and financial affairs, I hired Tim as the director of facilities management responsible for the largest staff unit at the University, charged with maintaining its 88 buildings and grounds on 220 acres plus the oversight of all new construction and renovation. The scope of duties required the steady hand of an individual with unique management and technical abilities. Tim also exhibited exceptional leadership of his staff and was a studying hand among his fellow administrators and managers. He had a great sincereness and depth to him which consistently showed through his interactions with his staff as well as with Western friends and individual contractors outside the university. But more than having those important gifts, Tim was a friend. He was a friend to those who worked with him as well as those who knew he and his family outside of work. His real claim to fame, to which he freely admitted was the gift of his family - his wife Jane, and daughters Kirsten (Sr. Cecilia Maria) and Whitney. After Tim and I retired we stayed close. We enjoyed weekly coffees together where we reminisced of our days at Western and told stories of various trips and adventures with our wives and kids. I will cherish the time I got to spend with Tim for the rest of my life. To Jane, Kirsten, and Whitney, my wife, Margaret, and I thank you for allowing us to share in your family's joys and sadness. God bless you and Tim. And, Tim, I'll be with you in rooting for Army over Navy in games on into perpetuity.

Posted by George Pierce on January 14, 2021

I first met Tim when he worked at WWU and had the privilege of working with him over the years on some university committees. He was always attentive and listened respectfully to all opinions, proposed solutions for consideration as needed, and treated everyone with compassion and respect. I got to know him even better though as a neighbor and member of the Samish Neighborhood Association Board. Tim worked hard as an advocate for his fellow neighbors to protect our single-family residence zoning from megalithic apartment complexes being built at the time. He also spent much of his spare time working to enhance communication between our Association and the city of Bellingham, whether it was giving presentations to the City Council, inviting the Mayor and other elected officials to meet with our fellow neighbors, and improving ways for our Association to outreach and engage more neighbors in neighborhood activities. What I enjoyed most about working with Tim over those years was his dedication to helping make the world around him a better place for all, as well as his leadership, compassion for others, and of course his quirky sense of humor. I also had the privilege of seeing the results of his beautiful woodworking skills over the years at the annual WWU Employee Art Show. He was truly a talented and one-of-a-kind special person and I will miss him deeply.

Posted by April Markiewicz on January 11, 2021

I had the great pleasure of knowing and working with Tim during his time at WWU. He always had a greeting and a smile for me when we got together, and it was easy for me to have the same for him. He was a truly enjoyable person to be around. Tim was a great listener of issues presented to him and sincerely interested in discussing what kind of solutions might be available. He was a real human being in the best sense. I'm thankful for the opportunity to have known him. Sending along my best wishes to the family----

Posted by Rick Osen on January 10, 2021

Tim exemplified the best of the leadership training he received. He was smart, acutely aware of the personal and organizational needs of folks in FM, and led with the campus's education mission in mind. It was a real pleasure to work with him. His Desk Notes updated us on a very long season of intrusive renovations and repairs and did so in ways that kept us laughing and probably avoiding some nightmare scenarios. He was a true partner when I was leading the academic and we were making some tough budgetary decisions that affected the students, faculty, and physical plant of the university. I will always remember him fondly and extend my sympathies to his family and hope in his passing you are learning even more about his many and deeply valued professional contributions at WWU.

Posted by Catherine Riordan on January 10, 2021

Tim was a colleague I'll never forget at WWU - his gentle manner, his skill and knowledge and his willingness to listen to points of view that differed from his own. When Tim made a decision, I always knew it was the best option available. Heaven is in good hands with Tim there and we're a poorer place with his loss. Emily Gibson M.D.

Posted by Emily Gibson on January 9, 2021

I met Tim for the first time at a meeting of the Board of the Samish Neighborhood Association shortly after I moved to Bellingham from Washington, DC. We worked together over the next few years on various issues facing the neighborhood. Tim was a pleasure to work with. He always stuck to the issue at hand, using his career experience as a guide. It was during this time that Tim and I learned that we had somewhat crossed paths decades before when he was in his final year at West Point. During the 70/71 school year I was an Assistant Professor of French at the Academy but never had Tim in class. I probably would have given him a good grade! Requiescat in pace.

Posted by Dick Conoboy on January 9, 2021

Tim was a “prince of a man” —honorable, sympathetic, humble, devoted to God, to his faith, to his beautiful wife and daughters and to all that was best in our US nation. He is dearly missed and will never be forgotten by those of us who were enriched by his friendship and that of his dear wife and family. My Monastic community is privileged to have his eldest daughter as a member. My deep love and sympathy to Jane, Sr. Cecilia Maria, Whitney, Anita and his entire family. Mother Catherine Marie C.P.

Posted by Mother Catherine Marie, CP on January 8, 2021

I worked with Tim at WWU and always admired the way he navigated the line between funding sources, the demands of the academic departments and the capital allocations from the state legislature. When I would have the chance to chat with him after a meeting he would often offer his candid observation about what really happened and he often had a wry sarcastic bent that was funny. I was also a neighbor and in retirement saw, and helped a tiny bit, with his cherished shop construction and we went a couple times to go rescue deals at the Grizzly equipment tent sale. He will always hold a special place in my memory and my heart goes out to Jane, Kirsten and Whitney.

Posted by Hal Verrell on January 7, 2021

We will miss Tim. He was a wonderful man. We’ll never forget our good times in The Nutcracker with Tim and Jane. He had a real love for life.

Posted by The Wises on January 7, 2021

Oh Whitney and family, I did not know. I am terribly sorry for your grief. I wish I could offer some comfort. Please love each other as you face a terribly difficult time. Much love, Robin Davis Harren

Posted by Robin davis harren on January 6, 2021

Posted by Anonymous on January 5, 2021