Tim Druffel, 37, from Richland Washington went to live with the Lord on December 6th, 2002. Tim drown while fishing at Ringold on the Columbia River and his body was recovered January 22nd, 2003.

Tim was born in Moscow, Idaho on July 23rd, 1965 to Tom and Linda Druffel and was raised in Colton, Washington.

He attended Guardian Angel Catholic School in Colton from grade 1 through 8. During his four years at Colton High he enjoyed all sports, especially football, basketball and baseball. His senior year, 1984, the Colton Wildcats football team won the Washington State Class B 11 man football championship.

Tim' s first job as a young boy was delivering papers in Colton. He also enjoyed playing at his grandparents' farm outside of Colton with his cousins and friends.

His summers during high school were spent working for Pat Moser Farms as a farm mechanic and machinery operator. The friendships he made there were lifelong. He left Colton to attend Eastern Washington University and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration.

He met Shelly Heimgartner, his soul-mate and best friend in 1993. They were married in Lewiston on May 20, 1995. They were blessed by God with the birth of their daughter, Kailey, on December 12, 1996. Tim's greatest love in life was being a husband and daddy. Shelly and Kailey were the light of his life. His greatest honor in his life was being Kailey's Daddy. Tim was Shelly's pillar of strength during a most difficult time in her life.

They lived in Eltopia, Washington for two years and moved to an extremely friendly, Christian neighborhood in Richland in 1998. Neighborhood barbeques and gatherings were common at their home. He was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland and also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Colton.

Tim was employed by Gensco Wholesale, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning from 1989 until his death. He started his career at the Kirkland branch in the warehouse and worked his way up to the position of Regional Manager in 2002. The love of his job and hard work at Gensco earned Tim many top awards with the company including top salesman for 5 years and the president’s club award. He thoroughly enjoyed working with his fellow employees and customers.

Tim was an avid fisherman. He spent many hours every year fishing for salmon and steelhead on the Columbia and other rivers in the northwest. Whenever possible, he fished with his close friend, Steve Martin. Kailey was also one of his favorite fishing buddies. Tim' s dream to fish in Alaska was fulfilled in 1998. He anxiously looked forward to his annual deer hunting outing on the Lewiston hill each year with many of his high school classmates. He will always be remembered for his great sense of humor. He especially enjoyed teasing his three sisters while growing up and later teasing his wife and daughter. Tim's beautiful blue eyes and smile will always be remembered and never forgotten.

Surviving and left to honor his life are his wife, Shelly and daughter Kailey; parents Tom and Linda Druffel of Pullman; sisters Beth and friend Robin of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Jill and husband Steve Boer of Mt Vernon, WA; Jodie and husband Travis Pratt of Pullman; grandmother Monica Druffel of Moscow, ID; Godchild Ellie Boer of Mt Vernon, WA and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; father and mother-in-law Ray and Pat Heimgartner of Clarkston, WA; brother-in-law Greg Heimgartner and wife Kim; nephew Clint and niece Jackie Heimgartner of Clarkston, WA.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Victor Druffel.

A closed casket visitation will be held at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland on January 31st from 4 to 6 pm. The rosary will be recited at 6 pm following visitation. A graveside service will be held for all family and friends on Feb 1st, at l0 am, at Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston, WA with a brunch to follow at The 1st United Methodist Church, 1906 Broadview, Lewiston, Idaho.

Memorials may be made to Columbia Basin Dive and Rescue, 1960 Butler Loop, Richland, WA 99352.