Sorry to hear this. I didn’t know him, at least not personally. it’s possible that I may have met briefly in passing. I do recognize his handle and recall reading his posts with admiration. RIP.
Posted by: Jimbo Posted on: Jun 8th, 2023 at 11:25am
Lynda,
Thanks for posting this. Tim & I have been pretty good friends, as well. You're right, he was both an accomplished fellow and a very fine person.
Tim first contacted me, many years ago, after I mentioned one of his very fine stories in a piece I wrote for the BWJ. After that, we stayed in touch fairly regularly. He encouraged me to join The Outdoors Sportswriters of America association and we often shared thoughts on travel in Quetiico & elsewhere. It was only just before Covid that he & I considered planning a Q trip together; I believe he was already 80 years old!
Tim gave me the privilege of reading & editing his book on Quetico before he sent it off for possible publication. Every park enthusiast should read it. I am grateful he was so able to share his evident joy with so many readers in so many magazines, books & lectures over the years. He will be sorely missed!
I will soon enter Quetico to meet up with several other QJers who either knew or knew of Tim. Most assuredly, there will be a toast in his memory in those great outdoors which he held so dearly and shared with so many.
Thanks, again, Lynda.
Jimbo
Posted by: Spartan2 Posted on: Jun 8th, 2023 at 2:07am
I also hope his passing was quick and painless. I know he was fishing last summer.
He was a remarkable man, really. Nursed his wife through a years-long battle with ALS and cared for her at home until her death. I think he had a good, productive, long life. He also had a cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and in the winter the only way to reach it was to ski in. He sent me photos from the cabin one year. He was in his 80's then.
Posted by: solotripper Posted on: Jun 8th, 2023 at 1:55am
Sorry to hear of his passing. I remember him from when I first joined QJ. I knew he was a outdoor writer and figured when he stopped posting here it was because he was to busy with his travels and writing.
From what I know he lived a good life doing what he loved. I hope his passing was quick and painless.
Posted by: Spartan2 Posted on: Jun 8th, 2023 at 12:48am
I am sorry to report that I have just learned of the death of my good friend Tim Mead. Tim was the author of QUETICO ADVENTURES, as well as other books about fishing and outdoor activities. He was a member here at Quiet Journey for some time, but I don't think he had been able to access the board lately. His screen name was Ancient_Angler. Tim was a professor emeritus at UNC (University of North Carolina Charlotte), and I believe he was 85 years old. I have been unable to find an obituary online, but I did find this: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Spartan1 and I have sent a donation to this organization in Tim's memory.
Tim and I connected online many years ago (probably more than 20 years) when he read something about the canoe country that I had written which mentioned that I was a teacher in Springport (Michigan) Schools. Tim grew up in Springport, and he contacted me to congratulate me on my published work, as well as to talk about Springport. We became online friends, and we were able to get together several times in the years since. The last time we saw him was in 2017 when Neil and I were in Charlotte. We spent a day sightseeing with him, and we enjoyed fellowship over both lunch and dinner that day. He often sent us picture postcards of himself with big fish he had caught in Montana, or on some other exciting trip, and he did stay in touch by email occasionally. He was especially supportive when I had my open heart surgery three years ago.
I will miss the contact with this dear friend. As you all know, it is possible to form a real friendship with an internet friend when you have something in common. I am posting this in case any of you also had online conversations with Tim and might remember him.