Tributes For Timothy

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The first thing I think of when I think of Timothy is his warm smile. He had a way of emanating joy and happiness to those around him. One of his most remarkable traits was his ability to connect with people. He easily made friends wherever he went and was loved by so many.

Being the eldest sibling in a loving family, Tim developed a personality that was both endearing and inspiring. He filled our childhood with laughter and adventure and always exhibited curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm. These traits, combined with his dedication and passion, contributed to his success later in life. He pursued his career with determination and integrity, and he believed in hard work, but also balance.

Tim had a love for travel and adventure, which those of you who follow him on Instagram are well aware of. His caption being, "Living life one adventure at a time," and his Instagram story was always filled with different cities and experiences.

Timothy was a son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend -- roles that he embraced wholeheartedly. He cherished his family and friends and was a beacon of light and positivity for all of us.

I want to share a few happy memories of Tim. If anyone used to play candy crush or remembers it, there was this wheel that you can spin once a day to get a prize. One night at almost midnight, Tim texted me a screenshot that he had won the jackpot prize on candy crush (which almost never happens). He followed it with, "It finally happened!!!! I'm so happy. Made my night." Also being the candy crush fanatic that I was at the time, I thought, "Wow he's so lucky," but the reason why I remember this moment so clearly is because it put a smile on my face. I remember thinking to myself how adorable and pure is he that just the simple, small things in life can make him so happy.

Another story is one that my sister and brother-in-law, Vy and Andy, shared with me. A while back, Tim went to visit Vy and Andy in New York. He went exploring by himself one day and stopped by a famous ice cream shop. He decided to bring some back for Vy and Andy (without them asking him to). He carried a pint of ice cream in his jacket pocket all day until he got back to their apartment. He was so excited for them to try it, but when he opened it up, it had already melted, of course. When my sister told me this story, it made me laugh. I thought, "That is so Tim. Such a silly guy, but so thoughtful and sweet."

This is the Timothy that I want us all to remember: kind, cheerful, and affectionate.

Tim, I hope you're enjoying all of the anime, board games, snowboarding, Korean fried chicken, and soju that heaven has to offer. You will forever be in our hearts. We miss you and love you so much.

-Hue

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Timothy was absolutely an amazing person. A wonderful man who loved his parents, brothers, aunts, uncles and all of his cousins. He had a way of making everyone feel being loved and cherished.

My best childhood memories of Timothy was the time when we were kids. We used to spend time to explore the back yard, watch ‘Land Before Time’, morph the Power Rangers, play Pokemon/Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, build Gundam figures together, and chat about anime and mangas.

Even though I wasn’t the perfect cousin, Timothy has never looked down on me. He embraced, encouraged me, and made me feel warm and happy.

To me, Timothy was not only my cousin, but also my childhood best friend. I will miss his outburst of laughter, his intelligent, his kindness, his welcoming presence, and especially his big warm hugs. Love you Timo!

-Khai

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“With all my heart, I'm gonna love
With all my heart, I'm gonna trust
With all my heart, I'm gonna give you everything” - Illenium

Those words by one of Tim’s favorite artist reminds me of the kind, thoughtful, and selfless person he was. Tim lived a life filled with love, purpose, and adventure. He wholeheartedly loved and cared for his family and friends, made those around him feel cherished, and always put in the effort to foster his connections with others.

Growing up, Tim and his brothers were like brothers to my sister, Hue, and I. We grew up playing camping in our bunk beds, going to amusement parks, and eating a dozen scrambled eggs for breakfast. We shared many happy and fun memories, but what I remember most was the time Tim visited me and my husband, Andy, in New York. We had an early day planned to explore the city, so that morning, Tim had 10 alarms set. Each alarm played a few seconds of different upbeat songs. Having snoozed through 9 of them, he finally got up with a smile on his face and said, “Good morning, I’m so excited for today!” We spent the day exploring and eating and Tim always had a smile and pure joy in his face.

Tim’s radiant personality and the way he embraced life puts a smile on my face. He believed in savoring every moment and in finding happiness in the world around us. He loved to travel and I’m so happy to see him seek out so many adventures that brought him genuine happiness before he passed. He was always cheerful and brighten up other people’s day with his sweet yet silly personality. There was never a moment when I’m around Tim where we didn’t smile or laugh and it breaks my heart that I no longer get to share those moments with him.

Tim, although you are no longer with us, you’ll be forever in our hearts. Not a day goes by when you’re not loved or missed. I miss your warm smile, infectious laugh, and big hugs. This is not goodbye forever, but until we meet again. Please give grandpa, grandma, and uncle Eddie a big hug for us!

-Vy

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My Uncle Timothy is smart, Handsome, kind, successful, respected and cares for me. the last time I saw him he came to my house and taught me about science and the 3 state solid liquid and gas. I enjoyed spending time with him, but now he is gone. I love him so when he died I was so sad. When I think of him, I can't hold back my tears. I hope his soul soon goes up to heaven. I hope he prays for me and my family.

-Kyler Pham

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My prayers pour out for Tim and Uncle Trong’s family. In John Jesus comes too late to heal Lazarus and he finds Mary and Martha mourning the loss of their brother.

When Jesus learned his friend Lazarus died vs11:35 says “Jesus wept”. The son of God, the Word made flesh wept for the loss of his friend’s life.

The strange thing is that Jesus knew He could and would resurrect Lazarus yet He wept.

The gift of life is so precious that the loss of life broke Jesus’ heart. Jesus also told an observer that “if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Lazarus life and death were so that Jesus could show the power of God.

The light and life Timothy showed through his love for those around him and his amazing heart were glorifying to God. Now that Tim has gone before us even in this he is glorifying God.

It hurts to lose someone we love but we must all remember that like Lazarus Tim will live again and with him we shall all glorify our God.

-Kevin Mcclure

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Such at sad loss for our family. He was much to young. See you in heaven one day.

-Robert Rosenfelt

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Rest in piece, and thank you for all your memories you have given.

-Kenan

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It breaks my heart that Tim didn’t have the opportunity to live a long life. However, I do find some peace in knowing that Tim did live his shorten life to the fullest.

He made accomplishments in his career that most will never achieve.

He traveled more places than most will ever go.

He enjoyed food and had some elegant dining experiences that most will never try. I can still hear him saying “that’s really good.”

He built a large network of long-lasting friendships.

He was more generous than most.

He definitely read more books than I will ever read.

He loved and cared so deeply for those close to him.

He smiled more than most ever smile.

He always made the extra effort to try and hang out.

Tim once told me he wanted to experience ocean fishing. I said to him, "Okay Tim, we are going to wake up at 3:00am, head out in my small boat, to first get bait, then drive to Catalina Island, which is 26 miles offshore. It’s going to be cold and wet."

Tim's response, “No problem, sounds like a fun adventure!”

So we take off in the dark of the morning and are cruising through the cold ocean. I’ve had many friends and family get scared at this point, because we are driving fast and can’t see anything. While most tell me to slow down or that they will never go again, I recall looking over at Tim and with his big smile on his face, says, "this is really interesting." Something only Tim would say.

A couple hours later we make it to Catalina and start heading around to the backside of the island. Tim taps me on the shoulder, with that big smile on his face, and says, "How do you know if you are seasick?" I responded, "You’re not seasick Tim; you would know if you were."

We keep driving and looking for fish, and finally find a spot that looks really good. I tell Tim I’m going to drop the anchor and asked him for a hand with something, but noticed he looks a little off and wasn’t being very helpful at this point.

I continue dropping the anchor. Tim looks at me, this time with the look of a little more concern on his face, and says "I’m not sure, but I think I might be getting seasick." I say again, "Tim, you’re not getting seasick. You would know if you were."

As I start quickly getting the fishing poles ready and multitasking like crazy, Tim is just sitting there watching me do everything. I don’t bother asking him for help, as I can tell he is starting to get seasick, but I’m not going to tell him that! We just drove 30 miles straight out in the cold, dark ocean and at this point let's catch some fish, not turn around and go home.

I finally get all the rods out with bait on them and look over at Tim. I can see him in deep thought, still trying to figure out whether he is seasick or not.

Next thing you know, we start getting bite after bite, and right at the same time Tim leans over the side of the boat and starts throwing up!

I recall having three yellowtail on three different poles and it was absolute mayhem on the boat! Fishing poles and Tim all bent over the side of the boat at this point!

I handed Tim a rod and said you have to reel this in. Keep in mind, these yellowtail are big and strong fish that will take a man to their knees. Tim, seasick and all, was going to live this ocean fishing experience to the fullest and he got that fish to the boat.

After Tim and I each got our first fish to the boat, the third yellowtail got so tangled up in other fishing lines and the anchor, that we had to pull it in by hand. This is something I had never done before and will probably never do again.

I recall looking around while this was going on and there were several boats all surrounding us, none of them hooked on a fish. They were just floating nearby and staring at us, maybe not knowing whether to laugh at the two of us running all over while Tim is also throwing up and fighting a fish or be jealous over the fact that we were catching fish and they weren’t.

Tim never once asked to go home or leave on that trip. Not long after landing that third fish on the boat things slowed down and I asked Tim if he wanted to keep fishing. He said sure, it’s up to you. Tim was ready to continue experiencing ocean fishing to the fullest.

At that point our coolers were almost full, so I said let’s go home, we already had a great day. Needless to say, after getting back to the dock and cleaning everything up, Tim says with that smile on his face, "I had a great time, but I don’t know if ocean fishing is for me."

Tim, I’m glad I was able to share my passion with you and that I had one of my most my most memorable fishing trips with you. Not only will I always remember that trip, but I will always remember you. I will always think of you just going with the flow and that smile on your face.

Tim, I think your dad always wanted you to look up to me. But the fact is, I always admired you!

I’m sad that I don’t get to see you achieve even greater things in life than you already did. I’m also sad that I don’t get to see you continue to travel around the world. I’m sad that I won’t get the chance to treat your kids and wife with the same kindness that you have treated mine.

I’m struggling to understand why this has happened and the only reason I can justify is that God needed you more than we do here. I know you will make him proud, just as you made all of us proud. Please take care of our family and friends that are in heaven with you, and watch over all of us.

I love you and miss you Cousin Tim!

-Joe Rosenfelt

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Even if I had not many memories of Timothy I will always cherish the memories I did have with him.

-Aaron vu

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Whenever I think of cousin Timothy I always remember the smile he would put on others faces.

-Geneva Vu