Douglas John Timmerman

June 25, 1940 - August 28, 2024

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Douglas John Timmerman passed away suddenly at his home the morning of August 28, 2024 at the age of 84. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Lund) Timmerman for more than 62 years.

Doug was born on June 25, 1940 in Evanston, Illinois to the late Deane C. and Nellie A. Timmerman, and enjoyed a happy and loving childhood growing up in Northbrook, Illinois. He graduated from Glenbrook High School in 1958, where he was senior class vice-president and captain of the varsity basketball team. Of all sports, he loved basketball the most and his favorite time of the year was March Madness. A special connection during the recent years was texting his grandchildren about the latest scores and game highlights. Other interests and formative experiences that sparked during these early years include coin collecting; accompanying his dad to the Arlington International Racecourse to watch horse racing; serving as a caddy and ball boy at the Sportsman Country Club in Northbrook; and working the night shift at the US Post Office, where his dad was the night supervisor.

Doug followed his older brother and attended Whitewater State College (now the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater), where he first met Barb in a geography class. He was active at college and served as President of the Chi Delta Rho chapter of Delta Kappa fraternity during his senior year. Barb and Doug married after graduation on August 4, 1962 in Barb’s hometown of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He subsequently earned an MBA from Indiana University and began teaching in the School of Business at Platteville State College (now the University of Wisconsin-Platteville), where he built the business organization and management department, becoming its chairman. One quip he made about his time there is that he was on every committee. He later went on to earn a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Florida. Both Doug and Barb cherished the importance of higher education, encouraging their sons to attain numerous post-secondary degrees. He also developed a keen interest in finance and investing which he enjoyed throughout his life, applying his avocation and expertise to numerous capital campaigns and serving as treasurer and investment officer positions in various organizations and foundations. He was a founding member of the Platteville Public Schools Credit Union, served on the board of Farmers Telephone Company, and joined the Board of Anchor Savings and Loan in 1971. He and Barb were each very proud of being honored as outstanding alumnae of Whitewater, having been recognized in 1986 and 1984, respectively. He and Barb so treasured their time at Whitewater, and he often noted that it set them up for a successful life.

Doug and Barb moved from Platteville to Madison in 1978, when he took a leave from teaching and joined Anchor as an employee, serving as its first-ever vice president of finance and planning. He rose through the ranks and was named president and chief executive officer of in 1985, a position he held through its conversion to Anchor Bank in 1992 and until his retirement in 2009. During his tenure, he led Anchor’s expansion throughout Wisconsin. His natural abilities as a thoughtful leader and communicator shone through his work.

Above all, Doug was deeply committed to his wife and family. He was a devoted son, caring for his beloved Mom until she was 101 years old. He was also a hard-working and exceptionally proud “dear old Dad”, leading family road trips; attending sporting events and performances; dabbling in home repairs, projects, and improvements; and always prioritizing the sweet moments of life such as birthdays, graduations, weddings, and anniversaries. He loved being a grandpa and the walls, surfaces, and the insides of cabinets of his home are covered with pictures of his family and grandchildren. He was active in the Madison community, participating, supporting and leading a variety of local organizations, ranging from Midvale Community Lutheran Church, where Barb and he were longtime members, the UW Research Park Board of Directors, Four Lakes Council of Boy Scouts, CBM Foundation, and Downtown Madison, Inc Board of Directors, among many others. He was a friend and mentor to his vast network of many who he connected with over the years, ranging from former students, fraternity brothers, Covenant group members, employees and colleagues, and those in the business community where he developed lifelong connections.

Upon retirement, Doug and Barb relocated to sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They were fortunate to enjoy the opportunity to travel the world, taking multiple trips in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He was active in the Fort Lauderdale North Beach chapter of Rotary International, serving in chapter leadership for several years, including President. He took an interest in genealogy, tracing his family’s roots (Snell-Zimmerman-Timmerman) to their first arrival in Little Falls, New York, in the 1700s. A highlight of this avocation was attending several annual reunions in Little Falls.

Doug was the devoted father to his four sons and their families: Drew (Karen), Mark (Jennifer), Jay, and Christopher (Deborah Levine); a loving Grandpa to his favorite granddaughter Emily (Isaac) Portz, grandsons Andrew, Charles, Ezra, and Samuel Timmerman; and an all too short stint as a new Great-Grandpa to Nellie Portz, who he was looking forward to meeting in person for the first time but missed her by days. He was predeceased by his parents, aunts and uncles, and his brother Herb.

A visitation and celebration of life will be held from 10:00 to noon on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at the Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home at 4061 N. Federal Hwy in Fort Lauderdale

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a Hope South Florida or a charity of your choosing, in memory of Doug.

It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Douglas be, sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of his obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website. www.KraeerFairchild.com.