A Loving Step-Father
Tim taught me the foundation on which I have built all of my knowledge about cars, computers, photography, and life in general. Though not my biological father, he treated me as a son. I am a better person and a better man because Tim was in my life. ~Paul Rascoe
Karen Andersen
Tim was one of my favorite people at work. I never met him in person as I work on the West coast and haven’t travelled to Raleigh yet. The nice thing about never meeting someone is that you get a picture of them in your head. I always imagined him wearing a bucket fishing hat with a crazy amount of lures. I imagined he’d wear it at work and maybe even sleeping. I have no clue if he even fished. I can’t think of any reason why I picture Tim wearing a fishing lures and a bucket hat but it was always in my head when I talked to him. Perhaps it was his voice that made me think of cigars and fishing…but I never imagined him smoking the cigar…maybe just in a tray next to him while he looked at the ocean. Who knows, maybe there’s something in there I got right.
We’d talk about work more than homelife. I’d help review communications he’d written from time to time. Mostly I just liked chatting with him as we’re both very cynical people. I worked field support up until a year or so ago…so I could give him a different view on things as to why things are all goofy.
He made a big difference. He cared a lot about helping people and getting things right. I learned a lot from him whether I wanted to or not. A chat with him would be a mini training session in a pinch. I always appreciated that (because I did need to learn what he had to offer.) He was a real genuine individual and I’ll miss him.
We’d talk about work more than homelife. I’d help review communications he’d written from time to time. Mostly I just liked chatting with him as we’re both very cynical people. I worked field support up until a year or so ago…so I could give him a different view on things as to why things are all goofy.
He made a big difference. He cared a lot about helping people and getting things right. I learned a lot from him whether I wanted to or not. A chat with him would be a mini training session in a pinch. I always appreciated that (because I did need to learn what he had to offer.) He was a real genuine individual and I’ll miss him.
Kent Chicosky
My condolences to Diane and your family. Tim will surely be missed by all of the Field IT employees who depended on his knowledge and dedication to helping us. Tim was a legend in his field, and to us. He would never pass up helping someone in need even when he was sick or not feeling well. We would always laugh and banter back and forth about work and life in general. He left us way to soon and has left a huge void in the post office, as there is nobody that can fill Tim’s shoes. He would have wanted us to laugh and remember him in a fun way. He pretended to be this grumpy old man but after knowing him for many years, I know he was a gentle giant who loved his family and loved to laugh. I know you and the boys will miss him but If could say anything to boys I would say, you should be very proud of your Dad because he was deeply respected by all his colleagues. Not many men can say, that about their fathers but you can. He was well respected by all. We will miss Tim and may he rest in peace
Lindsay Dean
I met Tim when I was 16 years old, over 20 years ago. His son, Josh, and I dated in high school and Tim, Diane, Paul and Danny welcomed me with open arms.
I remember hanging out at their home often. Tim was always hanging out in his office (which looked more like a music producer’s studio) listening to music and hanging on the computer. But what I remember MOST is his smile, his chuckle, and that mustache of his. He was easy to talk to, joke with, had a great sense of humor and was always in a good mood.
He not only welcomed me into his home, but into his life. I had the honor of standing up for Tim and Diane when they were married in 2006, and valued my relationship with them.
I went to college, got married, had babies, but always managed to keep in touch with Tim, he had become family to me. He would ask about my life, my daughters, my career and my family. He would send me pictures of his new cars. That man had more cars that the local dealership! I remember he even tried to convince me to sell him mine once.
Tim… you are missed and will always remain in my thoughts and prayers. We may not have been blood, but you were family to me. I hope you’re in heaven’s music studio listening to good vibes, chuckling and smiling, and watching over us here on earth. Thank you for leaving me so many wonderful memories.
Until we meet again,
Lindsay
I remember hanging out at their home often. Tim was always hanging out in his office (which looked more like a music producer’s studio) listening to music and hanging on the computer. But what I remember MOST is his smile, his chuckle, and that mustache of his. He was easy to talk to, joke with, had a great sense of humor and was always in a good mood.
He not only welcomed me into his home, but into his life. I had the honor of standing up for Tim and Diane when they were married in 2006, and valued my relationship with them.
I went to college, got married, had babies, but always managed to keep in touch with Tim, he had become family to me. He would ask about my life, my daughters, my career and my family. He would send me pictures of his new cars. That man had more cars that the local dealership! I remember he even tried to convince me to sell him mine once.
Tim… you are missed and will always remain in my thoughts and prayers. We may not have been blood, but you were family to me. I hope you’re in heaven’s music studio listening to good vibes, chuckling and smiling, and watching over us here on earth. Thank you for leaving me so many wonderful memories.
Until we meet again,
Lindsay
Brian Marshak
He’ll be missed deeply by myself and others, as has no doubt become clear. As you grieve, remember that he left a huge impact not just on this big blue beast… The USPS benefitted greatly from his contributions and that is unarguable.
However, his contributions reached well past just corporate metrics and gain. Tim – through his unique personality, his vetting of ‘those worthy’ – built a cadre of capable technologists within postal. He was never, in my experience, the kind to let you drown. He might let you panic a bit as you tread water, but he was right there with you the entire time. He was easily the first true mentor I had within Postal. He would answer questions, but he always encouraged curiosity, theorizing, and critical thinking.
He will live on with this legacy as the upcoming generation of ETE leaders rise to their places. Many of us, like Tim, will be reluctant leaders… preferring to lead from the shadows, letting others get the praise and kudos that they haven’t seen in their professional career. Others will rise and lead with an understanding of the human element of the workforce.
Tim is easily responsible for my current career, and I owe him greatly for making me half as effective as I am today. He will be missed, and even these weeks later… I’m sobbing as I write this email.
There will never be a day that I’m not reaching back into my emails, teams messages, and elsewhere to scrape a few nuggets of wisdom or knowledge off of what he tried to pass on to me. He was a remarkable person, and the fact that the entire USPS is not mourning his passing is both… what he would want and not what he deserves. Like myself, he didn’t seem to want the kudos, the praise, etc… He wanted to fix things. I only hope that the impact I leave on the USPS by the time I leave… or pass on as Tim has, is as large and notable as his.
While I wasn’t as good a friend to Tim as I believe I should’ve been… I missed out on meeting him every time I got the chance to go to Raleigh… I will carry that forward and do better, because I know he would expect it of me.
To steal a line from my upbringing… Tim was a true Mensch.
Miss him.
However, his contributions reached well past just corporate metrics and gain. Tim – through his unique personality, his vetting of ‘those worthy’ – built a cadre of capable technologists within postal. He was never, in my experience, the kind to let you drown. He might let you panic a bit as you tread water, but he was right there with you the entire time. He was easily the first true mentor I had within Postal. He would answer questions, but he always encouraged curiosity, theorizing, and critical thinking.
He will live on with this legacy as the upcoming generation of ETE leaders rise to their places. Many of us, like Tim, will be reluctant leaders… preferring to lead from the shadows, letting others get the praise and kudos that they haven’t seen in their professional career. Others will rise and lead with an understanding of the human element of the workforce.
Tim is easily responsible for my current career, and I owe him greatly for making me half as effective as I am today. He will be missed, and even these weeks later… I’m sobbing as I write this email.
There will never be a day that I’m not reaching back into my emails, teams messages, and elsewhere to scrape a few nuggets of wisdom or knowledge off of what he tried to pass on to me. He was a remarkable person, and the fact that the entire USPS is not mourning his passing is both… what he would want and not what he deserves. Like myself, he didn’t seem to want the kudos, the praise, etc… He wanted to fix things. I only hope that the impact I leave on the USPS by the time I leave… or pass on as Tim has, is as large and notable as his.
While I wasn’t as good a friend to Tim as I believe I should’ve been… I missed out on meeting him every time I got the chance to go to Raleigh… I will carry that forward and do better, because I know he would expect it of me.
To steal a line from my upbringing… Tim was a true Mensch.
Miss him.