Timothy B. Visser

Timothy Brooks Visser died peacefully of natural causes on November 18, 2024, at his Livingston, Montana residence. He was 68. He was born in Columbus and raised in Orrville and Dover, Ohio.

Tim served as a U.S. Navy operations specialist during the Vietnam drawdown, at Throggs Neck NY and Norfolk VA. After discharge, he studied and worked as a psychiatric nursing aide in both Ohio and Arizona. He went on to serve as entrepreneur Dexter Gross’s personal chauffeur, where he reveled in driving limos, Bentley’s, and Rolls Royce’s around Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and points in between.

Tim was a skilled, passionate, and beloved close-up magician who worked professionally from the time he was in sixth grade through the last few years of his life. He will be remembered for his quirky sense of humor, the tall tales he spun to make us all believe he could materialize a rabbit from thin air, and other stories he told that seemed larger than life but indeed were true – the long talk he once had with George Clooney, his friendship with Margot Kidder, and serendipitious chats with novelists Walter Kirn and Thomas McGuane. Tim easily found common ground and fellowship with people from all walks of life.

Tim strove to follow Buddhism’s Noble Eightfold Path as he searched for meaning and connection in life. He was born with a full cleft palate and endured painful surgeries as an infant and child, as well as sometimes merciless bullying at school. His experiences filled him with empathy for the downtrodden but especially for children, whom he fought for and protected throughout his lifetime, and who in return adored Tim, his ability to make quarters appear and disappear, his stories, and the way could quickly transform ordinary balloons into hats, swords, and fantastic animals.

Tim relocated to Montana in the 1990’s, where he embraced AA’s 12-step program and forged lifelong friendship with fellow travelers. Tim was fiercely loyal and generous with friends and family alike.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Reverend John H. Visser (Annie) and Nona Suzanne Taylor (Bill); stepbrother David Taylor, stepsister Elizabeth Stanley, and nephews David Holte and Thomas Preston. He is survived by siblings Anne Visser Ney (Peter), Janet Visser Preston, half-siblings Holly Taylor Cutting (Jim), Marianne Visser Riegel, John E. Visser (Kristy), and stepbrother Michael Stanley; nephews Joseph Preston (Suzanne), JB Visser, nieces Peyton Visser, and Katrina and Marina Riegel; and great-niece Juniper Preston.

Tim’s ashes will be scattered in a mountain meadow at a later date. Donations may be made to Save the Children Fund International.

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