Tim Robert Motter

Tim Robert Motter, age 72 years, 1 month, and 9 days, passed away at 8:30 A.M. Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Roselawn Manor, Spencerville, OH after a four-month illness.  He was born in Lima, OH on Monday, November 15, 1948, to Robert and Esther (Gratz) Motter, originally from Bluffton, OH, who preceded him in death.  The family of Tim wishes to thank Dr. James Bowlus and the staffs of Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center and Roselawn Manor for the excellent medical care and compassion shown Tim throughout his illness, as well as the many kindnesses shown to his family.

A lifelong resident of Lima, Tim attended Horace Mann Elementary, Central Junior High, and graduated from Lima Senior High School, Class of 1967.  He attended The Ohio State University-Lima Campus.

Tim met Diane Short, of Lima, the summer of 1968.  Typical of Lima and area teens of the 1960’s, they spent summer evenings cruising up and down North Street, where they met in Spyker’s parking lot.  After dating three years, they married August 28, 1971, at Grace Methodist Church, Lima.

Tim began working part-time as a young teen mowing lawns and shoveling snow for neighbors.  At the age of 16, he began working at WLIO-TV, Lima as part of the production crew for the Easter Straker Show.  Tim gained handyman skills as a young man while working for Mauk Brothers Construction and Harry Wagner & Son Construction.  In the 1970’s to mid-1980’s, Tim worked part-time at Tobin’s Party Shop and Chuck’s Pizza.  He began full-time employment in 1973 at Acme Photo/Video, purchasing the corporation in 1993, acting as Owner/President.  He took great pride in owning the camera store, always striving to give the best customer service.  His valued employees contributed to the success of Acme Photo/Video.  He and longtime employee, Aaron Ralston, and longtime customer, Phil Hugo, remained friends.  After the business closed in 2010, he was always pleased to see past customers and give advice and assistance in using cameras and equipment.  He was equally pleased whenever past customers of Chuck’s Pizza saw him and wanted to reminisce.

Tim had many interests.  He followed his favorite baseball, basketball, and football teams, and also enjoyed local school athletics.  He was artistic and enjoyed all music, attending live concerts of various performers and bands.  He was a very good baritone, singing in school and church choirs under the direction of the late Ronald Richards.  Tim was proud of the compliment Mr. Richards once gave him that his voice “blended well with others.”  He knew a compliment from Mr. Richards was a compliment well deserved.

Tim respected nature and all living things.  He would never hurt a fly...or ant...or spider...or any other creature, always rescuing them by picking them up and moving them out of harm’s way.  He especially welcomed deer, birds, and foxes at the half-acre lot at his cabin in the woods.

Astronomy and photography were of great interest to Tim.  His interest in astronomy was encouraged by Earl Lhamon, who spent hours with Tim and other young men in the 1960’s at the Lima Schoonover Observatory.  For many years, Tim was a member of the then Lima Astronomy Club.  He owned telescopes and many cameras.  He rarely went anywhere without a camera, taking pictures of people, animals, clouds, cars, and anything he considered a “Kodak moment”.

Tim knew the importance of physical fitness.  A past member of the Lima Roadrunner’s Club and Lima Run N Jog Club, he biked hundreds of miles and ran 10Ks and half marathons.  He was a member of the Lima Family YMCA for over 50 years, running or walking on the track and enjoying the longtime companionship and friendship of so many men.  Those relationships were very important to Tim. When not at the YMCA, he would daily ride his bike or walk the Shawnee neighborhood where he lived, happily talking to people along the way.

Tim looked for any excuse to be outdoors.  Neighbors would frequently hear his mower, weed trimmer, or leaf blower; he would be cleaning out his cars, garage, or shed; he would walk through the yard picking up sticks; or doing any number of other outside chores.  His good buddy, Teak, his Siamese cat, was always close by.

Tim liked cars and owned various makes and models over the years, his current favorite a red 2004 Ford Mustang convertible.  He and his longtime best friend, Rick Blanchard, made countless drives through car lots checking out the inventory.

An only child from a small family, Tim’s three cousins, Sue Smith, Janis Nelson, and Joanna Firestone, were very important to him.  Family get-togethers of his youth were often held in Bluffton, OH.  As adults and living in different cities, Tim did not see his cousins as often as he would have liked but, when they were together, they quickly picked up where they had left off.

Tim enjoyed traveling to fun, interesting destinations.  His favorite beach vacation was Sanibel Island, FL, where the family vacationed many years.  But his absolute favorite get-away was a cabin in the woods he and his wife owned in Hide-A-Way Hills, in southeast Ohio near Hocking Hills.  He went to the cabin often, with family frequently visiting.  Tim happily drove his utility terrain vehicle throughout Hide-A-Way Hills, always taking pictures of nature and wildlife with his favorite Nikon, and enjoyed the various amenities offered at the resort community.

Tim liked all holidays and birthday parties, his and anyone else’s; he had a list of people he called every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; he had a good sense of humor and liked to tease; he enjoyed singing hymns and found Bryan Bucher’s sermons meaningful.  Tim was sentimental and attached to his possessions (and he had a lot of them!), but everything was neat and tidy and organized.  His cars were uncluttered and clean (“Kick the snow off your shoes before you get in the car!”).  His Mustang may have been rained on a few times, but it was never in the snow.  Tim had a collection of cameras, guns, rifles, and knives.  He liked Folgers Black Silk or McDonald’s Premium Roast coffee for breakfast, a Kewpee hamburger and chili for lunch, and Beer Barrel pizza and an adult beverage for supper; the pizza and beverage were even better with friends.  He may have been somewhat determined and resistant to change, but he was a kind soul and wanted everyone to be happy.  If you were with Tim, or talking on the phone, his goodbye message to you was most likely, “See you in a little bit” or “See you in just a little while.”  And since time passes so quickly, his message is true.

Tim was a member of Shawnee United Methodist Church, Lima Family YMCA, Lima SABRES Shooting Assn., and Lima Eagles Aerie #370.

Tim is survived by his wife, Diane, of 49 years; daughter Jennifer (Steve) Parish of Hide-A-Way Hills, OH; daughter Krista (Dan) Smilek of Cincinnati, OH; granddaughter Elayne (Cole) Miller of Columbus, OH; grandson Andrew Parish of Hide-A-Way Hills, OH; Samantha Smilek of Cincinnati, OH; sister-in-law Susan (Mark) Spencer of Colorado Springs, CO; nephew Michael (Sallie) Spencer of San Francisco, CA; nieces Kathryn Spencer of Colorado Springs, CO, and Karen (Eric) Nelson of Colorado Springs, CO; cousins Sue Smith of Houston, TX, Janis (Russ) Nelson of New Albany, OH, and Joanna Firestone of New Hudson, MI; great nephews, nieces, and second cousins; and many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who were so important to Tim.

If you wish to make a memorial contribution in Tim’s name, please consider Shawnee United Methodist Church, Lima Family YMCA, Lima Astronomical Society, or any charity or organization important to you.

Arrangements for a private service at Shawnee United Methodist Church, Lima, to be officiated by Pastor Bryan Bucher, are incomplete.  Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com .