About Tim

If you ask anyone about Tim, you’ll probably hear laughter before words. He was the kind of person who could turn a bad day around with one quick joke or that signature grin that meant something funny was coming. But behind the humor was a man who cared deeply — about people, about growth, and about doing the right thing when no one was watching.

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Tim was a husband, father, coach, and friend who believed that success in life wasn’t about medals, trophies, or attention. It was about how you treat others, how you show up, and how you make people feel. On the track or in the halls of Columbia City High School, he was known for cheering the loudest for the last runner and making sure every kid felt like they belonged.

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To his athletes, Tim was the calm voice before the race — the one who believed in you so much that you started to believe in yourself. He didn’t give fiery halftime speeches or yell from the sidelines. Instead, he set goals, gave quiet encouragement, and built trust. He reminded everyone that your effort, your kindness, and your consistency said more about you than any scoreboard ever could.

To his friends and family, he was steady and loyal — the one you could count on to show up, lend a hand, or make you laugh when you needed it most. He worked hard, joked often, and lived simply, with gratitude and love at the center of everything he did.

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After Tim’s sudden passing in 2014, his family wanted to make sure his example didn’t fade. That’s how the Timothy D. Hearld Memorial Scholarship began. Through this scholarship, his legacy lives on in students who reflect his best qualities: humility, humor, and heart. The ones who show up early, help others without being asked, and make people feel seen.

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Every year, a new recipient adds to that story. Whether it’s through mentoring younger teammates, encouraging classmates, or serving the community, each student helps continue what Tim started — shaping good humans.