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Timothy Washburn Obituary

Timothy W. Washburn
December 13, 1946 – July 6, 2010

Tim Washburn of Manhattan Beach passed away on July 6, 2010, following a sudden hospitalization for a chronic illness. He was 63. In 1997 Tim was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, a genetic, progressive lung disease. For the remainder of his life, he chose to hide his increasingly compromised condition as best he could. His incredible success in this subterfuge served as his final goal in life, but it created a heart-wrenching shock to most of his friends. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 43 years, Linda, his older brother, Dennis Washburn (Carol), and a multitude of friends and acquaintances.
Faced with a predictably shortened life, Tim retired when he was 55 from Wells Fargo Bank, where he was an Executive Vice President responsible for construction loan activities for Southern California. Although he and Linda had already managed to travel extensively during his vacation time, Tim wanted to live his remaining life as fully as possible. He didn't waste a day; he taught others how one could be successful in a career, travel the world, and have first class fun in amazing places with first class people. Over the years, Tim concealed his deteriorating condition from all but Linda and a few close friends who saw him frequently enough to detect the signs. He carefully designed travel and daily life to maximize experiences and to minimize the effect of his illness. When friends took up golf, Tim declined, calling it a "silly game." Few knew the real reason. Tim never did allow Alpha-1 to dominate his life; he evaded its shadow by making the most of every good moment. He loved planning and taking trips throughout the world, albeit all at low altitude - replacing hikes and long walks with taxis and pedicabs. At the seaside home he was so pleased to have built and live in, Tim appreciated every day simply by absorbing the beauty of a sunset.
Tim served for five years as an officer in the US Navy, initially assigned to a ship in Norfolk, VA and Gaeta, Italy. Always a methodical planner, he recognized early on that command of the English language would be critical to his success. He took vocabulary cards to the bridge and memorized them while standing "bridge watch" (hopefully not during maneuvers). Most of his off-duty time was consumed by partying to the degree only the young can survive. Lifelong friendships were formed with fellow officers, and Tim and Linda continued taking group trips together with them over the years. He carefully orchestrated their participation to cover his Alpha-1; always available for the Caribbean and other sea-level vacations, but "conflicting events" excused their attendance at higher altitudes.
Tim played baseball from Little League through high school in Alhambra, American Legion (MVP!), and his first year in college. He never lost interest in the game nor gave up on his beloved SF Giants. He had great fun travelling with his best friend Rick - to Yankee Stadium for the last game at the old park with the Red Sox, or to Chicago to take in a game at Wrigley Field. Travels to exotic lands with Linda, occasionally joined by dear friends, was his joy. Before his illness, he and Linda were avid scuba divers, and he concocted many trips to take advantage of tropical oceans. Tim loved the sun. When the cold and fog rolled in at the beach, Tim headed for Palm Desert, where he and Linda spent many fall and spring weekends with their "pool 3" friends. He claimed a unique ability to manipulate the weather to make the sun come out, especially for Cal football games, though some may have considered it luck.
Tim holds an MBA in Finance from USC, and a BS in Business Administration from UC Berkeley. He loved his work in banking and the people with whom he worked. His career was highlighted by his ability, professionalism and unparalleled integrity, as was his life. Over the years, Tim was affiliated with many organizations, some being the Urban Land Institute, International Council of Shopping Centers, the Editorial Board – California Real Estate Journal, and Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. He also served as Board Member at various times for the Natural History Museum of LA County and the Los Angeles Urban League, as well as having membership on the Advisory Board, Center for Finance and Real Estate, UCLA Graduate School of Business and the L.A. Founders Chapter of Robert Morris Associates.
Most of all, Tim was fun to be with. He liked people, and as a result, people liked him. Because of his appreciation for each day, Tim was able to see excitement in things others viewed as routine. He caused a lot of mischief. Tim enjoyed life immensely, and even by his own high standards, he lived a great one. He did things that were fun and made him happy, and in so doing, made those around him happy. He will be sorely missed.
Tim never spoke of death except for one aspect. He rejected any concept of a memorial service as "too weepy." As he requested, sometime in the future when much of the immediate sadness has been replaced by enduring smiles of remembrance, there will be a big party. Much eating and drinking will take place, and stories will be told of Tim and each other. So be it. Friends and acquaintances will be notified.
Any memorial gifts should be made to The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, or The Peter Zippi Memorial Fund for Animals in Hermosa Beach.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times from Jul. 16 to Jul. 18, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Timothy Washburn

Not sure what to say?





Dana Smedra

May 7, 2011

In fond memory; Tim was a great guy.

Drew Popson

July 24, 2010

Linda
Ned Callahan sent me this notice. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's only been 47 years, but it seems like yesterday at Alhambra. Tim was a great ball player and always a great guy.

Regards and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Drew Popson

Dennis McGaughey

July 21, 2010

I remember Tim well from our days at Union Bank in Beverly Hills 1976. He was a great real estate lender

Janet & Felix Koskei

July 20, 2010

Tim and his lovely wife Linda hosted my wife Janet and I to dinner at their wonderful home in Manhattan Beach a few years ago. Tim was an extremely lovable, charming, social & jovial person to be with. Though we met him only once, he made our visit to his home a memorable episode in our lives. Tim was truly a great person and we shall cherish having met him forever.

Jeff Norling

July 18, 2010

I am so very honored to have known Tim and that he chose to spend some valuable, very enjoyable time sharing travel stories with me at the breakfast table. I am proud to know that I kept his windows clean, so that he and Linda could enjoy their sunsets together. I very much feel the loss. Linda, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Very sincerely, Jeff...your Window Cleaner

July 18, 2010

Washburn......it was a fantastic few years that I worked for you in the REIG. Although we scored well for Wells, I will never forget the heavyweight fights w/Stan in Vegas, Cabo on San Val's boat, our off-site at the San Ysidro Ranch, CC&F's Christmas Parties and I could add a hundred more. You had my utmost respect in our offices and during our BD times. We will catch-up on business when we meet again. Tonight, I will toast your life and successes with my Makers Mark Manhattan up.......Watts

Piero Selvaggio

July 17, 2010

Tim we’ll miss you!
Linda please accept my condolences and also on behalf of the entire Valentino restaurant. He will be remembered as one of the most jovial and wonderful customer of Valentino. Remembering that life has end for us all, yet some like Tim will leave in our memories forever.
We probably would have been the last stop of his brief but happy life, since Tim really had good taste for great food and wine.

Piero Selvaggio and the entire Valentino family.
Valentino - Santa Monica

Debra Broido

July 17, 2010

Tim was a legend at Wells. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times and I was impressed with this skill and bigger than life personality. He seemed to enjoy every day. The loss is too soon for his friends and family.

Craig Anderson

July 16, 2010

What a "great" guy with a good dry sense of humor that I won't forget.

Pam Wright

July 16, 2010

Tim..we'll miss those appletinis, your laugh and your wonderful self! Love to Linda...

Sharon Fisher

July 16, 2010

Tim was bigger than life and lived life well! It was my pleasure to have crossed paths with him. I am so sorry to hear of his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time of sorrow.

Ouida Peterson

July 16, 2010

I wish I would have had the opportunity to know Tim better, but my brief meeting with him was memorable. We'd like to make a contribution to Peter Zippi in his memory.

Terry Paoli

July 16, 2010

My sincere condolences to all the Washburn family and especially to my dear colleague Dennis.

Terry Paoli

Erin Peart

July 16, 2010

What a wonderful tribute to Tim's life! While I haven't kept in touch with Tim since his retirement from WFB, I have thought of him often. He was such a fun-loving and very smart man. I always sought him out at our annual REG meeting dinners, as he told the best stories and I could be assured of a hearty laugh and good time. He will be missed.

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