Timothy Patrick Donahue

Tim Donahue, age 66, wonderful husband, amazing father, lifelong naturalist, and all-around good guy, died peacefully on January 27, 2026 after courageously choosing to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED) in order to control the manner and timing of his death due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Tim was born on January 15, 1960, in Mt. Lebanon Pennsylvania (suburb of Pittsburgh). He attended St. Bernard’s Catholic School through 6th grade and graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School. He has many ribbons and trophies from his time on track and cross-country teams and earned the distinction of Eagle Scout. He attended University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in Botany and Plant & Soil Sciences. He spent his junior year in Egham, England.

After graduating in 1982, he joined the Peace Corps in 1984, serving for 3 years in Senegal, West Africa, and becoming fluent in French and Wolof. He was known for his mastery of Wolof proverbs. Among his favorites is “Bala nge nand gilim jot bakkan ba.” (Before you can wipe the camel’s nose, you have to be able to reach it.) He continued for many years training Peace Corps forestry volunteers in Senegal and Togo.

He sacrificed his love of overseas work to build a life together with his wife, Melisa, in the United States. They were married on June 1, 1991, at Squire’s Castle, North Chagrin Reservation, in Ohio, celebrating with a picnic among family and friends.

After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) with a Master’s Degree in Resource Policy and Behavior (environmental education), he had a wide-ranging and varied career. He worked for National Consortium for Environmental Education and Training (NCEET), Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) teaching students and teachers how to care for the natural world.

He moved with his family to Great Oak Co-Housing as a founding member in 2003 and started a nature-based preschool program while homeschooling his two children.

After moving to Chelsea, Michigan, he was a stay-at-home dad while becoming a trusted handyman for many co-housing residents.

He retired in 2023 from the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History working in the exhibits department and playing a pivotal role in the development of the eco-system dioramas in the Michigan Gallery.

He traveled extensively as a young man and for work and leisure, spanning 6 continents and over 25 countries. He was known for getting along with everyone, his quick wit, puns and sharp sense of humor. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Melisa Schuster; son Samuel (Lauren Hirth) and daughter, Annaliese; siblings Leslie Donahue, Colleen Radbill, Suzanne Steinbicker (Steve), Michael Donahue (Vindya) and Eirinn Camphire (Chris); honorary younger brother, Brian Fischer; nine nieces and nephews and seven grandnieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Richard (1979) and Marie (2020), niece Cara Steinbicker Montgomery (2020), stillborn son Jesse James (1995) and best friend Larry Rizzo (1981).

Flowers are appreciated, but please consider a donation to CurePSP.org or political action to ensure funding for NIH to continue the promising research into a cure for PSP.