Timothy Carl Mickelson
Timothy Carl Mickelson
Life held many paths for Timothy Carl Mickelson. However, they all converged and came to a final end on Wednesday, August 30th at the age of 68. Tim lived to challenge himself, set his goals high and achieved at the upper most level in all he did. Yet ALS ultimately ended his pursuits.
In the small farming community of Deerfield, Wisconsin, Tim started his life. He was a top-notch student and an industrious boy as he and his sister, Peggy, worked from a young age in their family’s grocery store on main street. It was here that Tim developed his strong work ethic, realized the meaning of setting goals and discovered the importance of being respectful to others. Tim personified those traits throughout his life.
Continuing his educational path, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Electrical 
Engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Upon graduation, he spent two years in the Army, stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC where he worked as an Environmental Engineer. Following his discharge, he pursued a Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering at Dartmouth College. He then continued to challenge his inquisitive mind by obtaining a doctorate degree in Exercise Physiology at Ohio University.
This led to much success in his career path. He began working in, and ultimately retired from, the medical electronics field. Starting out in Product Management with Marquette Electronics of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1980, his ability to be self-taught in business management eventually led to his rise to become President and Chief Operating Officer of the company. During his time with Marquette Electronics, the acquisition of Corometrics Medical Systems in 1994 took Tim and his family to Connecticut where he assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer and President of this company. Upon leaving Marquette Electronics in 1998, his family moved to Seattle, Washington where he was CEO of ATL/Philips Medical until his retirement in 2005.
His persona has been told by many, both during his employment and after, as being inspirational, as being a mentor, a compassionate and fair boss and a “people’s person” – approachable, humble and a profound leader.
Another very significant path that Tim pursued was that of athlete. A six year member on the US National Rowing Team, Tim set his sights high. He won a silver medal in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, a gold medal in the World Rowing Championships in 1974 in Lucerne, Switzerland and a gold medal in the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City-all in the men’s heavyweight eight events. He continued to row competitively the years following as a member of the Milwaukee Rowing Club in Wisconsin and also the Sammamish Rowing Association in Redmond, Washington. Tim was also an avid alpine and cross-country skier, enjoyed hiking, kayaking and biking, was a woodworker, and an accomplished cook and baker. He was also a winemaker in partnership with Cinq Cellars winery in Redmond, Washington
Perhaps the most important path Tim took in his life was that of husband and father. He had a 
passion for living that enveloped his family with his strength, high morals, inspiration and never-ending love. He is survived and loved by his wife of 41 years, Beth Mickelson, sons Dayne (Kelly) Mickelson, Todd (Julia) Mickelson and Bryan Mickelson. He is also survived by his sister, Peggy Mickelson, and two grandsons, Bryce and Ayden Mickelson.
A funeral service is planned for Saturday, September 16th at 4:00PM at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church – 10021 NE 124th Street, Kirkland, Washington. A celebration of his life is planned for early November at the University of Washington Conibear Shellhouse with more details forthcoming. The spring of 2018 there will be an interment at his home church in Deerfield, Wisconsin
Donations can be made to:
Mickelson Family Fund for ALS Research https://goo.gl/eoRvZN or
Mickelson ALS Walk Team Page https://goo.gl/WeiKyp
16 Responses to “Timothy Carl Mickelson”
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I feel very privileged to have known and worked for Tim. He was truly a wonderful person who loved life and family. He will be missed by many.
I always looked up to Tim like an uncle since my dad had no siblings. He was always upbeat and positive and he will surely be remembered that way. My dearest sympathies to you all and Tim will be in all our hearts forever.
Take care,
Sue Lukas
Tim has been a role model to me on how to be a business leader, friend, mentor and well-balanced family-centric man. He has given us many gifts of his personal example. God has taken him away from his family and friends much too soon but his legacy and impact will carry on. A life well lived. He and his family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Hello.. Please accept my sincere sympathy in this news of Tim’s passing. What GREAT family memories I cherish with Tim and all. Christmas Eve is always a fond memory. Tim sure left a mark in this world, a very positive mark. May all of us remember Tim with LOVE. LOVE, cousin Jamie
My deepest condolences to all family and friends who were lucky enough to know Tim. I have so many fond memories of spending time with all of you! Tim will sure be missed – but he’s leaving behind a wonderful legacy that will not be forgotten! Thinking of you all….take care. Love you, Sara & family
Tim’s energy is gone from our lives but the light remains. He won’t be forgotten.
Tim and his sons, the Heidt and Sweeney families were always a joy to have on a Sitka’s Secrets fishing charter, in Alaska.
As I recall, on one all day charter, the weather prevented us from getting to where I wanted to be and we had little, if any success in finding salmon. When the weather improved, I suggested we try for halibut, but we had about a 1/2 hour boat ride. We got to the spot where I wanted to be, dropped in the lines, and everyone almost immediately hooked up a halibut. They landed them, dropped their lines down again, and everyone quickly caught a 2nd halibut, which was their daily bag limit.
I recall Tim saying on the way home, “There’s nothing like a good fight with a halibut to take away the fishing blues.”
We have very fond memories of their many visits to Sitka, Alaska.
Captain Kent and CEO Bev
Retired
I went thru all 12 years with Tim at Deerfield Grade and High School. My sincere sympathy to his family.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Tim’s illness and passing and I’d like to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to his family. He was a tremendous influence on our extended family in Deerfield and an important role model for many people.
He will be greatly missed. I’m glad I had to the opportunity to reconnect with him for a short while at the family reunion last summer.
We send our sincere sympathy to all Tim’s family after hearing the very sad news of Tim’s illness and passing. May the Lord be with you as you prepare a ceremony for him and in the many days ahead. Memories of Tim will always be vivid in our hearts and minds and we cherish the moments we had with him. He was a treasure that so many of us were very lucky to experience and love and be related to. He made us all proud! Our deepest love, Jim & Sandra Mickelson
Hi Peggy, I wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief.
God bless,
Keri Meade
I was a year behind Tim in crew at Wisconsin. I was also usually 2 or 3 boats behind him due to my size, so while we knew each other, we moved in different circles. I made a point of expanding my own skills by observing the better oarsmen when I could. I learned a lot watching Tim. Over the years, I enjoyed seeing how teammates had been doing & Tim’s career was one of my favorites. My thoughts & prayers are with the family. I will remember him with fondness. Dick Zielinski, Hales Corners, WI
I first met Tim in the spring of 1973 at the initial selection round for the US National Rowing Team. I was a fresh-faced junior oarsman from Cornell, and in awe of the graduate from Wisconsin who had already proved himself with an Olympic Silver in Munich. I expected to be treated with justifiable disdain, but instead, Tim made it a point to be generous with his encouragement and help. That was his way – always competitive but always kind and fair. He was the older brother I never had, and I feel blessed to have had just a little slice of his life intersect with mine.
Tim and I went on to row together and in tandem for the next four years – in the 7 and 6 seats in Moscow, and as a bow pair in Lucerne, Nottingham and in the Olympic Trials in 1976. I had his back, and he had mine – and that is the way I hope it will always be.
Courageous, determined and loyal. Kind, faithful and humble. That was Tim every day of his life. He will be greatly missed.
There are a lot of people you meet during one’s lifetime but few have the impact that Tim has had on so many. Tim helped me become the person I am today by his example, wisdom and life knowledge. I have so many fond memories; working as a teachers assist with Tim, our softball team, Tim helping me understand physics and having enjoyed living with Tim and Beth in 1980.
Tim was and still is one of my favorite memories of Marquette Electronics. Having had the pleasure of working together on new technologies and projects, Tim had not only wonderful insights into the market, but truly listened to everyone’s ideas.
Rest in peace Tim, you will live in my memories.
Steven Goodman
Tim Mickelson hired me at Mortara Instrument in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1985 and I respected him for his humble manner. He was the best boss and I am so sorry to hear of his passing of a truly remarkable man.