A tribute from Laurie Miller

Timm made such an impact on me. He brought photography back into my life, got me writing for the local papers as he did and supported my musical ventures...even agreeing to audition for and ended up being in Hello, Dolly! with me. He was cast as Mr. Kemper and I, Dolly. We got to sing together and dance together. I never knew Timm could act, but he did his role well.

Somewhere amid Timm's things you may have found a Family Ancestry document, framed and with the O'Cobhthaigh name. To thank him for his glorious gift of friendship, I gave him this framed family history. I pray you will keep it safe and as a part of your family treasures.

I'd left Silverton and the Salem area about three years back. But, I continued to follow his photography, his writing and his work for the better of his community. He was such an intriguing man. He seemed so full of life, and had a strong wit about him as well. After his trip to Bolivia (I think that was the trip), he told me a story about having fallen asleep on the ground...a no-no according to the locals there. Early in the morning hours, he felt something furry crawling across his face. He said he stiffened with fear and then swatted away whatever it was. It went one direction and he the other. As it turns out, it was a very large spider -- a very furry, deadly spider. He said he sat up for the next hour or so trying to slow down his heart rate.

Sometime later, around Halloween, one of his co-workers and I decided to play a little joke on him. I'd found a large furry spider that when noise was made, would drop down from a string with it's eyes all aglow. I carefully placed it above his desk at the Silverton Appeal. If you know Timm's work ethic, he wasn't the neatest guy around and so this made hiding the spider quite easy. Later that afternoon, he arrived at his desk. Making noise as he began to work, the spider dropped down and Timm jumped out of his seat running the in opposite direction. Who couldn't help but laugh and feel bad at the same time?

The first time I met Timm was at the Homer Davenport Days Strawberry Festival. He was the photographer and reporter for the Silverton Appeal then. I was new to Silverton and had volunteered to sell tickets. I motioned to Timm and offered him a free shortcake (as instructed). He merely commented that I need not bribe him to get my picture taken. Always a jokester, I loved this part of him. In fact, there wasn't much about Timm I didn't love.




Thank you for your website to honor him. I never knew Timm had siblings as he didn't speak much about his private life. But, he what he did share was always profound. I personally own several of his photographs which remain framed and hung in my living room. Perhaps you will make available some of his sunsets, ocean scenes and the like, for purchase to those of us who would treasure such gifts. One photo has always stayed in my thoughts. A lovely moonrise shot above Mt. Hood. Breathtaking.



My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Timm will remain forever a part of my life, my heart and my soul. He was and will forever more, remain a truly special man to me. My own skills as a photographer and reporter grew because of his guidance. I will miss him terribly. My heart will never be the same.