Celebrating the Life of
Timothy Roark
November 3, 1950 — November 5, 2022
Obituary
Timothy Tiernan Roark passed away in his home in Salem, Oregon, on November 5, 2022 from a cardiac event. Born November 3, 1950, to John and Patricia (née Tiernan) in Macomb, Illinois, a childhood in a small midwestern town offered Tim many opportunities for adventures. As one of four boys in his Catholic grade school class, he developed close friends - some of whom remained close throughout his life. Tim was one of four siblings and part of the fourth generation of Roarks living in Macomb. He grew up surrounded by extended family. These experiences nurtured a sense of family, tradition, and heritage that were lifelong values. With his brother Tom and friends, he would ride his bike out of town to the La Moine River and from there walk over a mile to the family farm. It was surely in those woods along the hilly banks in the Mississippi River Valley that Tim's lifelong love of nature was born.
Tim’s sense of adventure grew, and after graduating from Western High School, he moved to Denver to attend Regis College. After two years, he took a break from school and went on a formative trip through England and Ireland, connecting with his heritage, including a brief foray into Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Tim eventually returned to Macomb and finished college at Western Illinois University, where he developed a passion for literature and history. He enjoyed live concerts, especially Jefferson Airplane, and was engaged in the political movements of the 1960s.
Next, Tim moved to Chicago and began a career with the Social Security Administration, working at an office on Chicago’s South Side. Waiting for a bus one winter day, he decided he’d had enough of the Midwest and put in a transfer for “somewhere with mountains,” eventually ending up in Pendleton, Oregon. There, he met and married Kathy Roark (née Bahler). Tim was involved in the local theater and he and Kathy formed the Shakespeare Cold Reading and Dinner Society with a group of friends. The couple later moved to Salem, Oregon, where they had two children, Conor and Teresa, who they loved dearly. The couple did many updates and remodels to their home, often adding book shelves. Tim loved to read and had an extensive home library. After Tim and Kathy divorced in 2009, Tim remained in Salem, finishing out his career.
Tim worked for Social Security for over 40 years, helping people with disabilities apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits. But he was most passionate about his involvement with his union. Tim served as a union representative for his region and was deeply involved in many campaigns. He was passionate about making lives better for working people and issues of social justice. He worked with integrity and honesty to make his community better. He took his children to demonstrations and even door to door canvassing. Tim regularly traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with representatives and encourage progressive policy. His family was glad to learn that before his passing he had been able to cast his ballot in the 2022 election, thanks to Oregon’s vote by mail system.
Tim also had a love of nature. Although he missed his family in the Midwest, and went back to visit often, he loved living in Oregon, where he could visit the mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and see the dramatic impact of the prehistoric floods that carved out the Columbia Gorge. Early on, he and Kathy bought a cabin in the Cascade Mountains with a group of friends. As their children grew, the families spent many weekends hiking, swimming, and generally adventuring. Closer to home, Tim managed the family compost system, meticulously crushing eggshells, cutting up fruit and vegetable matter, and putting great thought into leaf mulch systems in the back yard. At the time of his death, he was making plans to transition the property to an ecologically-inspired and more drought tolerant landscape.
Through his life, Tim made an impact on many other people’s lives, as a sibling, parent, husband, friend, civil servant, and union leader. His passing leaves a hole in our community and he will be missed greatly. He is survived by his daughter, Teresa (of Springfield, Oregon); son, Conor (of Klamath Falls, Oregon); granddaughter, Genevieve (of Springfield, Oregon); brother, Tom (of Minneapolis, Minnesota); and sisters Mary (Bridgid) (of Brookfield, Wisconsin) and Margaret (Denny) (of Madison, Wisconsin). A memorial celebration will be held April 22, 2023 at the Oregon 4 H center. Donations can be made in his honor to the American Civil Liberties Union or Marion Polk Food Share.
Services
Memorial Service (In-Person)
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm Pacific Time
5390 4 H RD. NW. Salem, OR
We will be gathering at the Oregon 4H Center to celebrate the life of Tim Roark. There will be a short service with a reception and opportunity for anyone who wishes to do so to share memories of Tim. Heavy appetizers will be served.
Memories and Condolences
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Tim with Shaun, Teresa, Denny, Colleen, Maureen, Brian, Conor and Ed. So many good times at Horn Lodge gving thanks and enjoying our family!
Shaun, Teresa and Conor with Tim. Thanksgiving pic at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Tim loved and was so very proud of them.
Tim on the Oregon Coast after Teresa and Shaun's wedding. Note the Notre Dame sweatshirt. One of the stories I remember from our youth was about Tim as a kid in his ND jacket. He must have been middle school age. The president of WIU (in our home town), Dr. Knoblach, had a propensity for putting up fences. We lived above the football stadium and were very unhappy about the high fence he had put up to keep us from sledding down the hill from our yard to the stadium parking lot. Until the fence went up, it was a good long ride down the hill. However, we all became great fence climbers to get to the other side and enjoy the stadium (and hill on the other side of the parking lot). One day, Tim was seen climbing the fence by Dr. Knoblach and he complained "that kid with the Notre Dame jacket is climbing over the fence." It was then communicated to our parents that he was not allowed to climb the fence. I don't think our parents gave a rip about us climbing over the fence and suspect they had a good laugh about it. He was definitely the only kid in town who wore a Notre Dame jacket so he was easily identifiable. Knoblach did not stop any of us from climbing the fence, but I think Tim became aware of the fact that the ND jacket was like a scarlet letter; only blue and gold. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to be so identifable.
Always fun at Thanksgiving 💗.
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Tim with Bridgid (sister), Shaun and Teresa, Colleen (niece), Maureen (niece), Brian (nephew), Conor, and Ed (BIL).
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). What great times our family had - especially when the Oregon Roark's joined us! Tim is pictured with Dan (BIL), Darren (nephew-in-law) and cousins on both sides of the Roark (Michael, Patrick and Kate O'Brien) and Tiernan (Jim and Tom Smith) families. Tim's middle name is Tiernan.
La Fete de Marquette in Madison, WI - Sean, Teresa, Tim and Dan. The weekend of Colleen and Adam's wedding. Fun with the not so French (well, Dan has a little French in him)!
La Fete de Marquette in Madison, WI before Colleen and Adam's wedding. Tim with Teresa, Sean and Kate (cousins), and Dan.
Tim and Teresa at her wedding to Shaun.
The happy parents at Teresa and Shaun's wedding. A beautiful day!
Me and Tim at Teresa and Shaun's wedding.
We are but a small part of our world. Tim and Dan (BIL) on the Oregon Coast after Teresa and Shaun's wedding.
After Teresa and Shaun's wedding on the Oregon Coast. I can't remember what town we were in or what he bought, but we sure enjoyed ourselves!
This picture was taken after Teresa and Shaun's wedding when Tim, Dan and I headed to the Oregon coast. Tim was so well read and enjoyed a good book! We often talked about what we were reading.
Thanksgiving yoga. Undoubtedly lead by Colleen (niece & yogini). Note the ring he always wore. It was passed to him from our maternal grandfather, CJ ("Pat") Tiernan. I always thought he not only inherited the ring, but the same finger behaviors of our grandfather.
Tim with a few of the guys. Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL)
A little bocce ball on Thanksgiving Day at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Tim with nephew, Brian, and BIL, Dan. (Late November without coats!)
The clan or what was left of it in 2012 and before the arrival of additions (Charlie, Dillon, James, and Genevieve). Thanksgving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL).
Conor and Tim - Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL).
The siblings at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL) at Thanksgiving. I count my blessings to be one of them!
Tim, Conor, Shaun and Teresa celebrating Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL).
Christmas in Macomb 1966.
Great visit with Tim in Salem - Summer of 2016.
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). What great times our family had - especially when the Oregon Roark's joined us! Tim is pictured with Dan (BIL), Darren (nephew in law) and cousins on both sides of the Roark (Michael, Patrick and Kate O'Brien-Gibbons) and Tiernan (Jim and Tom Smith) families. Tim's middle name is Tiernan.
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Brothers!
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Another beautiful Thanksgiving Day celebrating family! Tim with cousins (Patrick O'Brien and son Hugh) and two brothers-in-law (Dan and Ed).
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Tim and BIL, Ed. These two could raise some shennanigans together for sure! May they both rest in peace. Very much loved!
A friendly game of cards Thanksgiving night at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL). Tim with his back to us. Great t-shirt! Tim and I always talked politics on the phone. He, of course, was commited to labor organizing. At my dad's funeral, Bridgid mentioned in her eulogy that if Tom was giving the eulogy, he would talk about the environment; I would sneak in something about Obama (just prior to his election.), and Tim would talk labor. All gifts of commitment nurtured by our parents.
Thanksgiving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL).
Another Thanksgiving pic at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL).
Tim on the Oregon Coast after Teresa and Shaun's wedding. Note the Notre Dame sweatshirt. One of the stories I remember from our youth was about Tim as a kid in his ND jacket. He must have been middle school age. The president of WIU (in our home town), Dr. Knoblach, had a propensity for putting up fences. We lived above the football stadium and were very unhappy about the high fence he had put up to keep us from sledding down the hill from our yard to the stadium parking lot. Until the fence went up, it was a good long ride down the hill. However, we all became great fence climbers to get to the other side and enjoy the stadium (and hill on the other side of the parking lot). One day, Tim was seen climbing the fence by Dr. Knoblach and he complained "that kid with the Notre Dame jacket is climbing over the fence." It was then communicated to our parents that he was not allowed to climb the fence. I don't think our parents gave a rip about us climbing over the fence and suspect they had a good laugh about it. He was definitely the only kid in town who wore a Notre Dame jacket so he was easily identifiable. Knoblach did not stop any of us from climbing the fence, but I think Tim became aware of the fact that the ND jacket was like a scarlet letter; only blue and gold. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to be so identifable.
The clan or what was left of it in 2012. Thanksgving at Horn Lodge (Macomb, IL).
I met Tim as an intern to the Executive Board when I first became active in AFGE, and I appreciated and related to his wry and dour perspective, coupled with a passionate commitment to unionism and a fierce protectionism of the rights of his colleagues. I found him to be a doting father and a true advocate for all SSA employees, from whom I learned much about what it means to be a leader. He shall be sorely missed. Suaimhneas Síoraí Air, Tim. John Pfannenstein President AFGE Local 3937
I met Tim when he lived and worked at the Social Security office in Pendleton, Oregon in the early 1980's. We hit it off immediately having similar tastes in politics, music, literature and sports, especially golf. I admired Tim for his intelligence and thoughtfulness. When Tim moved to Salem in the mid 1980's we kept in touch. Our families would visit from time to time and no matter how much time had gone by we always connected and had a good time when visiting. I was really sad to hear about Tim's passing and will miss him greatly. I admired and respected Tim greatly. Tim was a serious person, always thoughtful and full of wit and keen observations.
I worked with Tim for about 15 years in Salem. Most of that time I was in a cubicle next to his. Tim helped me numerous times with his expertise and his representation when I needed it. There will never be another person who can represent the union like Tim. As a CR Tim was the best. I was always on the receiving end of unhappy claimants. Tim’s work was memorable as almost no one ever complained and he never left loose ends. He was exemplary in his work with both his roles. Tim was respected and well liked by his coworkers. I will always remember the blue and white stained tea cup he carried around and used daily!
Tim was a close friend of ours during and after college. We stood up for him at his wedding in Chicago, and celebrated afterwards by going to a play--Tim fell asleep during the play. He woke up when the cast got naked. Lots of good times and good discussions. He was a valued friend to both of us, even stayed with us for a while in Hazel Crest.
My sympathies to Tim’s children and all his family. I know how difficult it is to lose a loved one. Tim was not only the brother of a dear friend, he was an upper -class man when I was a freshman in high school - which automatically gave him status. I remember his curly hair, and his easy going nature, of course, but the clearest memory I have is the look on his face when I (or anyone else) pulled the “fruit loop” off the back of his shirts. He looked piqued, surprised, a little angry and a little flattered - all at once! One time, someone ripped down the whole back of his shirt while trying to grab that loop!(not me!) Peace and love to you all. Holly
I knew Tim when he was a young whippersnapper in college. He was always a joy at any gathering I attended. I am sorry for your loss and grateful that I had an opportunity to know Tim. May your memories carry you through these difficult times and may his love surround you for evermore.
Tim was in the class behind me at Western Illinois University Lab School. I remember Tim as a very friendly, funny. light hearted person from a family that was very well known and respected. I only saw him school reunions held in Macomb. He remained to be friendly, jovial and still very connected to his former classmates. I was greatly saddened to hear of his passing. I will truly miss seeing him in future reunions. He, to me was an awesome person.
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