Obituary: Vedder, Timothy Anthony
He was born on the Camas prairie to Joseph and Millie Vedder, the fourth of six children.
He grew up on a wheat farm outside of Ferdinand, Idaho and attended Oliver School (walking uphill both ways) and Ferdinand High School, where he met his bride of 60 years, Bette Robinson.
Tim attended the University of Idaho in the fall of 1941 and worked for Blister Rust and the Bonneville Power Company in 1942.
In July of that year, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and married Bette on November 22, 1942 at Mary Star of the Sea in La Jolla, CA.
A proud Marine, he served as rifle instructor in San Diego and ordinance repair in San Francisco.
In 1944-45, as a member of the 2nd Marine Division, he participated in operations against enemy forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands and the occupation of Japan.
He was also in charge of beer rations on Saipan.
He was at ground zero in Nagasaki two months after the bomb was dropped.
He was honorably discharged January 21, 1946 as Corporal.
In the fall of 1946, Tim and Bette moved to Lewiston, while he attended Northern Idaho College of Education, where he earned his bachelors degree in education.
The growing family moved to Clarkston, Washington, where Tim joined Prudential Insurance Company.
He worked as an agent, and staff manager, for 35 years.
He was an active member of the Clarkston Jaycees, served as City Councilman and occasionally as Mayor Pro Tem.
He was also active in the Holy Family Chapter of Knights of Columbus.
On May 5, 1955, a day that will live forever in the Vedder Family annuls, Tim bowled the first ‘300’ game in Clarkston’s recorded history.
This was also son, Tim’s 5th birthday!
Tim LOVED to umpire baseball games and fostered a life long love of baseball in many of his children.
In the summer of 1962, the family moved to Spokane.
Dad was always a willing chauffeur for any of his kids.
At one point he had six children in six different schools.
Daughters were driven to Marycliff from 1962 to 1975, where they learned the art of fervent prayer to get the Morris Minor up the Monroe Street hill.
Sons knew he would be at any athletic competition.
Tim and Bette were avid golfers and continued their love of the game through their retirement in Chewelah on the golf course.
They passed their passion for golf not only to their children, but also their grandchildren.
They hosted the annual Vedder Family Golf Tournaments in Chewelah with all the family, including grandchildren.
Though he was retired, his gregarious and friendly nature led him to work many years in the golf course pro shop, making everyone feel welcome.
The toughest battle he faced was when his beloved wife, Bette, was diagnosed with cancer.
True to form, he stood by her side, holding her hand, through many months of treatment and a few reprieves.
Upon her death in 2002, he continued residence in Chewelah until moving to Mountain Home, in 2011, to be with his daughter, Michelle and her husband, Bob.
He enjoyed his time in Mountain Home, making many new friends, playing cards, watching sports, and enjoying his Mountain Home family.
Tim is survived by his daughters, Cammi Engelhard (George) of Spokane, WA, Michelle Yalch (Bob) of Mountain Home, ID, Tracy Vedder (Dane Burns) of Issaquah, WA and sons, Tim Vedder II (Debbie) of Moses Lake, WA and Thomas Vedder (Melody) of Palo Alto, CA, son-in-law Jim Kelly of Spokane, WA and brother, Walt Vedder of Vancouver, WA.
His beloved wife, Bette; daughter, Peggy Kelly; daughter-in-law, Mary Vedder and son-in-law, Frank Morano, preceded him in death.
He was grandfather to 14 children and great-grandfather to 22 children who all remember him with great love and affection, and whose names he carried with him wherever he went.
He was “favorite uncle” to numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, 2320 N. Cedar, Spokane, WA 99205 on Saturday, February 21st at 11:30 a.m., cremation was by Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.