I attended the Master's College with Andy. On one weekend I came up to the Bay area and visited church with Andy. To my memory this was the only time I met Tim. What I recall is that Andy was to lead a breif bible study. I remember being very inspired by watching the mentoring as Tim encouraged and helped Andy along in the midst of the study. Andy was unsure, but Tim saw him through. I saw fatherhood as it should be.
Dale LaVoie
I met Tim during my senior year at University of the Pacfic School of Dentistry....I was planning to purchase a older dental practice in Oakland and discussed with Tim what I would need to purchase to modernize it..I didn;t have much money and hadn't gotten my loan yet....but this didn't deter Tim...he just kept giving me advise and gathering equipment for my new office ..he explained how we could use a Sears Compressor instead of a expensive dental compressor......he won my trust and my friendship for all these years .....A few months before he retired we talked about all the things he wanted to do and places to go...I encouraged him to try Ocean Cruising and he and his wife enjoyed it very much. He was a dear friend and always in a cheerful mood....I will miss him deeply in my heart and I pray he is
helping God clean up the Pearly Gates..... Tim, you will be missed ! ...
As a young sailor and brand new Christian {1959} Tim showed me what being a Christian was all about -- and was instrumental in my coming to Christ. After 20 years in the Navy -- God called me into Ministry & I have been a Pastor for 28 years in a small Baptist Churc in NJ. I had hoped to one day get out to Calif and see the "old Gang". I will see him in Glory and thank him then for his part in my Life.
{Pastor] Richard P. Edwards
First Baptist Church
Mantua, NJ
In my youth, I could hardly wait for Tim (or as I called him Mr. Yaeger) to drive up in his AWANA’s van, and if my sisters and I were running a bit late he would show up at our house. He provided me an escape from my harsh reality. He provided a sense of security with his caring, loving ways and his contagious smile. I remember the many adventures he used to take us on (and probably paid for)….Angel Island, up to the freeing snow, Great America, Magic Mountain, roller skating, picnics in Golden Gate park, a trip to the AWANAS Olympics but the most important thing that I will cherish is that Mr. Yaeger told me was that I was worthy, worthy of God’s love. I did not believe him and laughed it off. We had a conversation about how God loves all his children. I told Mr, Yager I did not understand…I told him that I was raised to fear God and if I did anything wrong to fear his wrath. It wasn’t until I stopped and watched Tim interacting with his sons, that I understood what he was trying to tell me, a fathers love can be good and pure. It did not take long for me to understand that I, a child of God was worthy of his love but most importantly I accepted Gods love. Over the years I have developed a meaningful trusting relationship with God and I owe it all to Mr. Yaeger.
In the late 80's I called on Sr. and Jr for the first time. It was late in the afternoon midweek. They were both out back putting the finishing touches on their Enduro race car( older sedan raced with 50 to 60 other like cars on a 1/4 mile dirt bull ring in Fremont) The race was Sunday and they asked me to tag along. Sunday came and I took my wife and two kids and off we went to Baylands Raceway. Much to my surprise during one of the breaks they asked me if I wanted to drive. Soon I was suited up and given a helmet and on the track I went. That was over 25 years ago and I am still racing in events up and down the west coast. From now on every time I strap myself in a race car I will look to my right knowing Tim is there with that big smile enjoying the ride. He and I will take many checkered flags together for a long time to come.
My father and I were discussing the biblical notion that cursing and/or swearing was wrong.
I, with my infinite argumentative skills, discussed at length that my brother and I using our middle fingers to communicate to one another wasn't wrong, per se, if the intention of evil wasn't there. If I didn’t mean the full intention of the physical gesture, then it was ok to use it. Even if a third party saw the act, it was their issue not ours. Not understanding intent was the root of the problem. After an hour or so, I felt I had won the argument and felt assured I could rest my case.
My father, after a moment of silence said, “Let me ask you something Kurt. If God were standing here, would you flip off your brother”.
I said “If God thought it were funny, sure”.
He exclaimed “Kurt, be serious”.
“OK, ok Dad. If God WERE standing here, in this room, I probably wouldn’t flip off my brother”.
My father simply answered “Well, he is”.
My father had a simple way of cutting through the human notion of justification, down to the core issue. If God is here, act as if.
It’s something I’ll never forget and one of many, many lessons my father blessed me with.
I love and miss you.
It was game night at Awana's, upstairs new building, Calvery Baptist Church 1979-80ish. I was short a partner for our three legged team. As I stood there wondering how to continue, Tim announced "Ty I'll be your partner". I dont remember much else about that night. But I do remember my smile as someone strapped our legs together. As someone (probably Wade) placed the whistle in his mouth Tim looked down at me holding my hand and said, "Hold on!". As the whistle sounded he bent down placed his arm around my ribs and picked me up. He ran that evening like an athletic scout was watching from a far. My body had gone limp as I just flailed around at his mercy. I could not stop giggling the entire time. I knew he had me and would never let go. Everyone laughed as he carried us to victory.
He touched each and every person he ever came in contact with. Im am reminded of a quote he said at Camp Hammer one year. "If I tell you something you may forget, If I teach to you, you may remember, If I involve you, you will learn."
Tim was always a superstar when it came to including people in his life. His love of Jesus and his time spent beaming his love of Christ to others touched many lives. I am but one of many who's life he touched. ~ Ty Hamby
I might as well be the first to post a great memory.
My dad would play games with us. I can't tell you how much that meant to us. Looking back, I realize how tired he was after a long day and yet he still gave to us all he had left. My dad was also a huge practical joker - even to the point of setting up booby traps!
Well, one time, when I was about 14 or so, we were playing hide and seek in the house and I hid in the shower. I heard the door open and I hunkered down. It was quiet, so I was pretty sure he had moved on. With my face buried against the tub, I smiled in quiet victory. That all ended when I felt the icy water blasting my back and my dad's words, "bad choice, Andy."
