INMAN — J. Timothy “Tim” Kimmel, Ph D, 60, of Inman, formerly from Indiana, Pa., died unexpectedly of heart failure at his home Monday evening, May 14.
He was born Dec. 15, 1951, in Indiana, Pa., a son of the late John W. Kimmel and the late Charlotte Bicker Kimmel. Tim was most recently a professor of biology and anatomy at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and taught at several other colleges and universities during his lifetime. Among these was Villa Maria College in Erie, Pa. and Barton Community College in Great Bend.
He was an avid naturalist, photographer and outdoorsman, had a great love of birds of prey, and was licensed in the sport of falconry. His love and study of birds of prey led him to become a well-known advocate of raptors and their conservation.
He served as past presidents of the Presque Isle Audubon Society in Erie, Pa., the Pennsylvania Falconry and Hawk Trust (where he was named a Life Honorary Member in 2003), the Kansas Hawking Club and the North American Falconers’ Association. Tim was world renowned for his efforts to promote falconry having served as a member of the Advisory Committee and the chair of the Scientific Committee for the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, an honorary science society, and the recipient of the 1991 Roger M. Latham Award. He was a graduate of Indiana Area High School, a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a graduate of Southern Illinois University where he earned a Master of Arts in Zoology, and a graduate of Penn State University where he earned a Ph D in Forest Resources with emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin sister Charlotte “Cholly” Kimmel Voytek and her husband Patrick Voytek, both from Indiana Pa.
He is survived by four brothers and four sisters: Thomas (Ellie) Kimmel of Elizabethtown, Pa.; Samuel (Mandy) Kimmel of Shelocta, Pa.; George (Loretta) Kimmel of Spring Church, Pa.; Jeffrey Kimmel of Port Matilda, Pa.; Rebecca (Bill) Eshelman of Roswell, Ga.; Karen (Eric) Orsolics of New York City; Christine “Chris” (Alan) Pulsinelli of Roselle, Ill.; and Margaret “Peg” (Ron) Novello of New Derry, Pa.; 17 nieces and nephews; and 11 great-nieces and great-nephews.
A celebration of Tim’s life will be held at the Science Hall Commons at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 8. Anyone wishing to offer “Tales of Tim” at the celebration is welcome to speak.
A memorial service will be held at the Plumcreek Church of the Brethren, Shelocta, Pa. at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28 followed by interment of his ashes at the nearby Elderton Cemetery.
Donations should be clearly identified as being in memory of J. Timothy Kimmel, made payable to The Archives of Falconry – Wall of Remembrance, where his name will surely be added, and mailed to 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, Idaho, 83709.

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, June 3, 2012**