Timm Tews

Timm Robert Tews was born May 18, 1959, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, the first born of Robert (Bob) and Shirley Tews. Shirley wanted to name him David, but a cluster of newborn Davids in her family convinced her to let Bob name this first great-grandchild after Bob’s grandfather Theodore (Tim). Shirley insisted, however, that the name be Timm with two “m”s, and not Timothy. Despite this, he was never called “Timm” at home. When he was born, his little face reminded Shirley of an abandoned baby squirrel her family had raised after it had fallen out of its nest, which they had named Petey. Our “Petey” didn’t know his name was Timm until roll call his first day of Kindergarten. Timm was later joined by sister Tami Lou and brother Todd.

Timm was shy as a child, awed by the confidence of his outgoing father, a college teacher used to public speaking. Anyone who met Timm as an adult would find it hard to believe he had ever been lost for words, but sociability is something he developed later in life.

As an adolescent, Timm was baptized in a lake at a confirmation class camp trip. Not expecting much from the transaction, Timm was surprised to hear God speak to him afterward. The experience had a profound effect, placing a call on his life. That call would later be set aside when an accident ended Timm’s hopes for a football career. A talented high school starter, Timm played tight end on offense and outside linebacker on defense. The summer after his sophomore year, while bicycling, Timm was struck by a car going 40 miles an hour. He spent three weeks immobilized in the hospital, after which he became an average athlete. His dreams shattered, Timm shut his heart to God.

Timm received his Associate in Manufacturing degree at College of DuPage. His talents took him into project management at a clock and public art company, Canterbury Designs, in Los Angeles, where he had moved with a girlfriend to escape the cold winters of the Chicago suburbs. While there, Timm met singer and actress Lynn Kellogg, to whom he later be- came engaged. While at a “date” at the Vineyard church in Anaheim, Timm followed Lynn up for an altar call for prayer to avoid being left behind with the “crazies.” Expecting little, Timm was surprised again by God, who told him, “I’m everything you’ve ever been looking for.” Though Lynn and he did not end up married, her influence changed the trajectory of Timm’s life.

Timm met Cynthia Balluck through a Bible study group at his local Santa Monica Vineyard church. They married in 1986. Timm and Cynthia remained close with many of their church group friends from that era. Those friendships defined a golden age for many twenty- and thirty-somethings from the Vineyard at that time. Many of those friends prayed for Timm through his later cancer journey, and remain an emotional support for Cynthia and Avery to this day.

In the early 1990s Timm took up fly fishing, and it remained a beloved pas- time for the rest of his life. Already an experienced spin fisherman, he became an accomplished fly fisherman and was able to teach many others the sport.

While others in their circle were building families, parenthood eluded Timm and Cynthia until their mid-forties, when they were blessed with a surprise baby, Avery. For Timm, who had two aborted babies in his teenage past, she was a sign of God’s forgiveness and redemption. Timm adored Avery, whom he called the apple of his eye.

Laid off from Canterbury in the 1990s, Timm returned to school for a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of California at Northridge. Later, it dawned on him how much he hated business! Instead, Timm partnered with a friend in home remodeling. He was set to open his own renovation business when he suffered a massive disk rupture. He was recovering from spine surgery when Avery was born.

With prospects slim for employment after his disabling injury, Timm and Cynthia sold their Los Angeles home to downsize and take time off to raise Avery. They moved to Woodland Park, Colorado, on the recommendation of another transplanted Los Angeles friend. In Colorado, Timm became involved with Training Ground, a nonprofit mentoring college-age men. Timm found enormous fulfilment from his 15 years volunteering as a fly-fishing guide for this ministry.

Timm’s cancer diagnosis came in 2011 after a routine checkup. Retro- peritoneal Liposarcoma is an aggressive abdominal cancer with limited treatment options. His massive 9-pound tumor was removed by an expert surgeon through a life-saving, leading-edge procedure called compound resection. Over the next 10 years Timm had several complex surgeries, and both traditional and experimental treatments. His cancer appeared to be in remission, but it resurfaced with a vengeance in 2016. Timm fought bravely, enduring more pain than most people will ever know. His fighting spirit probably gained him an extra five years of life.

In 2019 Timm cheated death again when his skilled surgeon removed yet another massive tumor. As a result, Timm’s life was prolonged 15 months. Though this life extension coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, Timm said again and again that his summer of recovery was the best in his life. Surgeries and experimental drugs had caused extensive nerve damage, still Timm took hold of life with both hands during that long break from treatment.

That same final summer, Bob Tews was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Despite COVID restrictions and cautions, Timm, Cynthia, and Avery were able to visit Bob in November. Though masked and relatively distanced for that final visit, it was meaningful to be together.

In December, Timm was hospitalized for a bowel obstruction from massive tumor regrowth. Doctors gave him months to live. Timm held on to celebrate Avery’s sixteenth birthday, and spent his final weeks putting affairs in order, giving away personal belongings, and saying goodbye to family and friends. He did not want to see others mourn him or watch him suffer. His passion for life and stubborn fighting persistence were both a blessing and a curse, prolonging both his life and his pain. He left this earth March 23, 2021, to be with God and fellow graduates to glory, including, two months later, his father. Though Timm is at peace, he is not likely resting. Almost certainly he is busy collaborating on numerous creative projects in God’s kingdom, and talking the ears off anyone who will listen.

Timm will be remembered for his grit and determination, enormous heart, giving spirit, sense of humor, and beautiful smile. He is survived by his wife Cynthia, daughter Avery, mother ShirleyLou Hollerud, sister Tami Lou Burton and her husband Andy, brother Todd and his wife Cat, uncle Ken, aunt Carolynn Mawhinney, niece Whitnee Carlson and her fiancé Matthew Rua, nephew Drewe Carlson, godsons Samuel Booth and Asher Anderson, and a host of beloved family members and friends.

If you would like to donate to a cause close to Timm’s heart, please link to one of these nonprofits:

Timm Tews Scholarship Fund Training Ground   
https://trainingground.com/timmtews/    
Training Ground is an experiential discipleship program to help college-age young men discover who they are in Christ through work, wilderness, and worship. Timm volunteered for Training Ground as a flyfishing guide and mentor since its inception in 2006.  

International Anglican Church 
www.springsiac.org
Our church home since 2006, IAC invites community and fellowship in an atmosphere of celebration and love. They have been a great support to the Tews family as we’ve journeyed through Timm’s cancer battle.  

Benet Hill Monastery 
https://benethillmonastery.org
In 2015 Timm became a graduate of Benet Hill’s two-year spiritual direction program. The wisdom, love, and grace displayed by Sisters of Benet Hill is ongoing. They continue to bless our family through excellent teaching, prayer, and loving messages of support. 

Please join us the evening of Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 5:00 pm at Hillside Gardens, Colorado Springs, for a Celebration of Life party in honor of Timm. We’re hopeful that by September we’ll be able to eat, drink, hug, and laugh together as we remember and celebrate Timm. Additional details will be posted as they become available. Out-of-town guests, please check back for lodging suggestions and additional information.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Timm Tews, please visit our floral store.