Timothy Chase Cochrun

Timothy Chase Cochrun, age 78, of Southington died suddenly on Monday, 8 July at Trumbull Memorial Hospital. Known as Tim, he was born 5 April 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Chase Roy and Sarah Elizabeth (Miller) Cochrun. Tim was retired from Norfolk Southern Railway where he had been employed as a civil engineer, frequently ducking the moving trains in railyards where he might be surveying for ownership or accident investigation. He was a 1964 graduate of Chalker High School, going on from there to receive a degree in forestry at West Virginia University. He subsequently received an Associate's degree from a community college in Youngstown, which allowed him to go to work for the railroads. After retirement he was involved in surveying for and the layout of highway bridges. Tim was a veteran who proudly served in Vietnam during the war there as a U.S. Army artillery spotter. Over 9 months he was moved to several different fire bases for his duties. Much to his parents' relief, he was reassigned early to West Germany when the United States began withdrawing troops from 'Nam. In Germany he was able to have a rare visit with his brother, Roy, who was serving with the U.S. Air Force in the divided city of Berlin. Tim had a natural eye for photography, not only for wedding pictures, but for scenic photography as well. He accepted no money for wedding photography. When asked by his brother why he did not charge for it, he replied with a grin, "If I did, they wouldn't invite me to the wedding." In addition to photography, he enjoyed cross-country skiing, spelunking and mountain hiking. He was personable and everyone who knew him liked him. He had many friends, especially among his former high school members. Tim is survived by his older brother, Roy (Bert Ann) and younger sister, Deborah Marshall (Bill) as well as nieces and nephews. In addition to his late parents, Tim was preceded in death by his longtime companion, Denice Starks, a nephew, Bruce Marshall, and a great nephew, Harry "Hayden Cochrun" Zagami. Tim's remains have been assigned to the Carl W. Hall funeral home in Warren for cremation in accordance with his wishes. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced.