aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

In Memoriam: Tim Bollenbaugh

Timothy “Tim” Bollenbaugh passed away at the age of 64 on June 18 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Tim was born on Oct. 30, 1959, in Prineville, Oregon and is survived by his sister, April Hughes, and his brothers, Steven Bollenbaugh and Terry Bollenbaugh.

Throughout his life, Tim worked to develop his mind and body, as a way to overcome childhood trauma. To address early learning difficulties, Tim studied exceptionally hard until he earned his undergraduate degree from WWU. After Tim’s curiosity and wanderlust led him into a variety of jobs, including working in the maritime fishing industry, Tim began his professional career at WWU as an animator for Media Services in 1990. 

More recently, Tim was a volunteer faculty member in the graphic design department. When not in the library or graphic design department, you could find Tim in the WWU Rec Center. He worked out every day, on the elliptical and doing pull-ups, wearing his signature smile, dress shirt, and tie. Tim walked to Western every day for work and to exercise, and then would walk to Whole Foods for dinner, before walking back home. Everyone who met Tim on his travels knew him as kind, patient, and always willing to lend an ear or share a bit of wisdom from his experiences. Tim combined his interests in exercise, art, and trauma in his research. As he commented in an recent article in Klipsun Magazine, “Presently, I combine trauma research with research in learning disabilities, perceptive compositing, visual perception, art education, and art therapy. Distinctions between these are artificial — our entire mind and body are a package deal."

Tim was a source of inspiration for others and will continue to be. If you or a loved one are experiencing trauma or depression, please consider contacting the following resources:

  • WWU Counseling and Wellness Center: Call 360-650-3164, Select option 1 after hours.
  • National Crisis Support Services: Text HELLO to 741-741 for confidential, anonymous, free, 24/7 service connects texters with volunteer crisis counselors.
  • 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 for confidential, anonymous, free, 24/7 service connects callers with crisis counselors.