Timothy Ryan Hurttgam

October 2007

Our community lost a dedicated individual — an activist, student, co-oper, and friend. Tim Hurttgam's three-year battle with cancer ended October 15.

Though Tim's time in Kalamazoo was short, his dedication to social justice and passion for learning were constantly present. He was a Political Science student and actively involved in the WMU Living Wage Campaign, Peace Center, Western Student Association, Students for a Sustainable Earth, Progressive Community Alliance, Western Herald, and the WMU Green Party. He was also a founding member of Meristem Co-op.

As many of us know, such commitment to improving the campus and city is rare. Tim was deeply committed to improving the lives of others and making the world a better place. He will be greatly missed among his Kalamazoo family.

Tim's strong ideals of justice and equality flourish here everyday and we must continue to carry them on. It is through this that we can honor and celebrate his life.

— Michael Gregor, KCH Board of Directors

Obituary

Timothy Ryan Hurttgam, 22, of Macomb Twp. went to his heavenly home while at University of Michigan Medical Center on Monday, October 15, 2007 after battling cancer for more than 2 ½ years.

Timothy was born on July 2, 1985 in Mt. Clemens, a son of Dale and Susan (nee Stieg) Hurttgam. Tim graduated from Immanuel Lutheran School, Macomb, in 1999 and Lutheran High School North, Macomb, in 2003. In high school, he participated in varsity football and baseball, band, jazz band, mock trial and was a member of the National Honor Society. Tim was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow in BSA Troop 391, Macomb. He was also a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb.

Tim had completed requirements through junior level at Western Michigan University where he was majoring in political science with minors in environmental studies, history and English. He was a member of the Honor College, WMU Student Assembly and was an opinion columnist for the Western Herald. Tim was a member of the WMU chapters of the Phi Kappa Phi and International Key Honor Societies. He was chosen as the Outstanding Student Assembly Senator during sophomore year and received the D.C. Shilling Award from the Political Science Department for Special Scholastic Achievement during his junior year. Tim was active in the Swords into Plowshares Peace Center, Students for a Sustainable Earth, Students Against Sweatshops and student affiliate of the Green Party. He participated in the Solid Grounds Lutheran Campus Ministry program.

Tim’s goal was to go to law school. He believed in political activism – championing environmental concerns and the equitable provision of basic needs and services for all. He was a leader in a student campaign to save campus workers jobs and provide a living wage, and spent one summer canvassing for Clean Water Action. He campaigned for local, state and national political candidates in both Macomb County and Kalamazoo. Tim wanted to leave his mark on the world by helping to make it a better place to live.

Surviving are his parents, Dale and Sue Hurttgam of Macomb Twp.; sisters, Nicki (Phil) Wargo of Sterling Heights, Julie Hurttgam of Charlotte, NC and Daria (Paul) Knight of St. Clair Shores; niece and beloved godchild, Lillian Knight; maternal grandmother, Evelyn Stieg of Utica; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and relatives. Tim was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Dr. Raymond Stieg, D.D.S and also by his paternal grandfather and grandmother, Walter and Lillian Hurttgam.

The family thanks the many who “loved our Tim” through their prayers and support during his illness.

— From the Hurttgam family