Joseph Timchak

Joseph Edward Timchak was born on October 5, 1955 in Washington DC, and was called to Heaven on July 14, 2024, in Kewadin, MI. Joe was born to parents Stephen and Lucy Timchak. At a very early age he discovered his love for the wonders of nature. Whenever possible, he spent his days outdoors observing the natural world and developing his deep appreciation for wildlife. As a child, his brothers introduced him to fishing, and it quickly became one of his lifelong passions.

When applying for teaching jobs, he would only apply to areas which had Blue Ribbon trout streams nearby. One of Joe's early passions was falconry. Hunting with his red-tailed hawk Jamaica, Joe would send his younger sister and her ferret into the brambles to flush out prey for his hawk! Joe eventually returned Jamaica to the wild. Joe attended Thomas Jefferson High School and went onto Virginia Tech where he earned his degree in Biology. After graduating college Joe ran into his high school biology teacher who asked him to be a substitute in their class for a few months. He loved it so much that later in life he pursued his teaching certificate at Colorado State University.

After moving to Colorado, he worked seasonally for the Forest Service. Several times the job required him to risk life and limb to protect forests and wildlife from fires burning out of control. In 1984 in Fort Collins, CO, Joe was working for the Forest Service when he and a friend came to a restaurant where Colorado State student Heather Bowman was eating. Joe and his friend struck up a conversation with Heather (who thought he was the waiter) and a beautiful relationship began. They began dating and were married four years later on June 4th, 1988, in Elk Rapids MI. They loved going on trips together to places like Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons and enjoyed time together with their dogs. Newly married and after several forestry and wildlife jobs, Joe and Heather moved to Idaho Falls, ID for Joe to become a Junior High School teacher.

He immediately used his scientific mind and humble heart to pour into the lives of his students. Joe quickly became somewhat of a "celebrity" wherever he went, and many of his former students today say his influence as a teacher played a major role in how they selected their fields of study, often focusing on the environment. Joe saw the potential in every student and sought to help each one maximize his or her potential. Joe's selflessness was put on full display in 2001 when Heather was diagnosed with a brain tumor, enduring two brain surgeries and over a year of rehab. In addition to maintaining his teaching responsibilities during this time, he tirelessly took on both parental roles with daughter Haley and was caretaker to Heather.

After 34 years of teaching in Idaho Falls, he officially "retired" and moved the family to Kewadin, MI to be closer to his daughter and her family- Haley, Hunter, and Mason. His passion for teaching was unquenched, however, and he became certified in Michigan to be able to substitute at Elk Rapids School District, where students would excitedly call out "Mr. T!" whenever they saw him. Joe was an incredible influence on his students and their families alike. In his free time, Joe loved watching sports and cheering on his favorite teams. He enjoyed fly fishing, hiking, and reading non fiction books before calling it a night. Joe contributed to conservation of wild trout while serving on the board of the Idaho Falls Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Despite the physical distance, Joe was intentional about spending quality time with his siblings, most memorably at Yellowstone and on fly-fishing trips. He was a loving father to daughter, Haley. Perhaps Joe's most cherished role was as proud grandfather to his favorite grandson, Mason, who affectionately called him "Joe Joe". He spent the last years of his life spending quality time with his family and teaching Mason to listen to the birds.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Lucy Timchak, and infant grandson Bennett Reed

. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Heather; daughter, Haley (Hunter) Reed and his cherished grandson, Mason Reed; his siblings; Stephen (Libby) Timchak; Carol (Bob) Mills; Larry (Lisa) Timchak; Joan Timchak; many cousins, nieces and nephews and his cherished grandson, Mason Reed. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

In remembrance of Joe's life, the family asks that any donations be made to:

The Skegmog Raptor Center or The Snake River Cutthroats of Trout Unlimited.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. and services will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. Please share your cherished memories of Joe with his family at www.Reynolds-Jonkhoff.com