Timothy Michael Hettinger was born July 30, 1986 at Kaiser Hospital in San Diego, and from the first minute was a spirited fighter. He grew up in the Tierrasanta Community, attended Vista Grande Elementary School, Clairemont Lutheran Elementary School, and De Portola Middle School. He graduated from Serra High School in 2004.
He then Tim had a life-long interest in travel, the military, airplanes, and geography, all in addition to his favorite sports teams and players. He participated in the local Little League and AYSO programs, and played high school football. Summers for him were fun, and included battling with his brother, Jon, in the swimming pool, enjoying wonderful back yard barbeques, and beach time.
He participated in the “People to People” Student Ambassador international youth exchange program during Middle School, traveling with the group to France, Italy, and Spain in summer, 1999.
Tim enrolled at San Diego State University, ultimately graduating in 2011, but not without a struggle. He always wanted to fly, so upon enrolling at SDSU he joined the Air Force ROTC program with the goal of becoming a pilot. After one semester, he was discharged from that program due to eyesight requirements. He then immediately joined the Army ROTC program at SDSU, an environment in which he thrived. Tim was in Army ROTC for the following three years and was only weeks from graduating in 2008, commissioning as an Army Officer, and designated for helicopter pilot training, when his health issues set in, causing him to withdraw from SDSU.
Over the next several years, Tim showed significant perseverance, repeating and completing the courses he had to withdraw from in 2008, a difficult chore physically, receiving a BA Degree in Liberal Arts and Science, and Geography in December 2011.
Tim was always a fighter. Even though his health slowly declined in the ensuing years, he held out hopes of developing a career in the aviation industry. In March 2015, he enrolled in an intense, three month FAA-certified program in Denver, which would ultimately have enabled him to secure a positon as a flight dispatcher/programmer with virtually any airline in the world. Unfortunately, after several weeks he had to withdraw from the program, again due to health impacts.
In June 2015, Tim was evaluated by the UCLA Medical Center Liver-Small Bowel Transplant Program and listed nationally for a multi-visceral transplant (small bowel, liver, pancreas, and ultimately, kidney).
From 2008 forward, Tim endured many afflictions and setbacks, emergency room visits, and many hospital stays, sometimes lengthy, missing several Holidays at home, fighting his health issues constantly with bravery and determination.
Tim was a kind, courteous, generous, thoughtful, motivated young man who enjoyed the company and love of his family,and walks in the hills with his dog. He appreciated the support and prayers of his many friends and family near and far. Thanks to them all for their attention and support in these last years.
We are all saddened by and left poorer by his absence. He will be greatly missed, but will be in our prayers constantly. What a guy.
Memories of You
(Razaf, Blake)
Why can't I forget like I should?
Heaven knows I would if I could.
But I just can't keep you off my mind.
Though you're gone, I have to explain,
all around me you still remain.
Wonder why fate should be so unkind?
Waking skies at sunrise,
every sunset, too,
seems to be bringing me
memories of you.
Here and there, everywhere,
scenes that we once knew.
And they all just recall
memories of you.
I know I will not forget
those happy yesteryears
that have left
a rosary of tears.
Your face beams in my dreams
‘spite of all I do.
Everything seems to bring
memories of you.
Those memories of you.
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