Frank Arnold Timmers

TIMMERS, Frank Arnold - Aka "the Ancient Aviator," "Fearless Frank" and "The Fearless Forester of 48," died March 25, 2005, at the age of 82. Born in Berkeley, CA, on October 29, 1922, Frank grew up in Albany and has lived in Lafayette for the past 47 years. He graduated from Albany High School and from UC Berkeley. A lumberman by trade, he started his career in 1948 as a lumber cruiser at McCloud River Lumber Co. A lumber salesman for nearly 40 years, he worked for Strable Lumber Co, then Van Arsdale Harris Lumber Co, before retiring in 1988. Frank was known for his love for fishing, photography, writing, whale watching and especially for storytelling. An oral historian of WWII, he was also an animal lover and naturalist and loved to travel to places near and far. Throughout his years, Frank was a member of E Clampus Vitus; Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity and the Hoo-Hoo Club #39, a Bay Area lumberman's association which named him "Lumberman of the Year" in 1972. A fighter pilot in the Pacific Arena in WWII, Frank flew over 101 combat missions and witnessed the bombing of Nagasaki. He holds the distinction of being one of the few Air Force Reserve pilots to fly his plane under the Golden Gate Bridge, a feat mentioned in Herb Caen's column. Frank was actively involved in the WWII Veterans Group in Walnut Creek and since 1976 attended his 342nd Squadron's bi-annual reunions. Frank is survived by Mary Elizabeth (Betty), his wife of 57 years; daughter and son-in law, Martha and Steve Moehring; daughters, Aileen and Cindy Timmers; grandson, Chris Timmers and his wife, Andrea and great-grand-children, Casey, 6 and Aurora, 2. Frank is also survived by close cousins here in the states and in the Netherlands. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Ralph and Aileen Marie Timmers and his brother, Jack Timmers. A private Service is being held on Friday, April 1 with a Memorial Service to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank's name to the Christian Children's Fund, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294.