Timothy Greene

Tim Greene entered this world on June 20, 1966. His family moved around a bit before eventually settling in Lafayette, Indiana, where he spent most of his time growing up. He attended William Henry Harrison High School in West Lafayette, and went on to be a photojournalist for the newspaper industry. Tim lived and loved life to its fullest. His two mottos were, “Knowing your limits is restricting your potential," and "If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!" Armed with these, he became a gifted professional rafting and wilderness guide, and mastered numerous outdoor sports: whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, rock climbing, scuba diving, sharpshooting, and more. Tim married his first wife, Cathy Pounds, on April 4, 1992. During their 20-year marriage and beyond, he reinvented his life and career many times, most recently as an architect and builder of state-of-the-art reef aquarium systems. He bonded easily with others, always searching for and finding the common ground and goodness in his fellow humans. And what a human being he was — “Quite difficult at times, always eccentric, and without a doubt, one of the most talented and brilliant minds to ever grace this earth," remarked one friend. Though he and Cathy ended their marriage after 20 years, they remained close friends. Tim circled back to Lafayette when he married his high school sweetheart and soul mate, Melanie Hahn, on May 18, 2014. They pursued many shared interests: motorcycles, live music, target practice and home brewing. In January 2014, a near-fatal motorcycle accident left Tim with a myriad of metal screws and rods holding his back together, forcing him to end his career and most of his activities. Still wanting to be in the wind, the couple traded two wheels for three, a Polaris Slingshot, in which they continued their travels when able. Tim selflessly rose above his pain to share his skills, talents, and yes, even his household tools, with any and all who needed them, lending a helping hand with tender loving care and a unique sense of humor and wit. This limitless goodwill extended to his four-legged friends as well, above all his beloved cat Angel, who preceded him in death. Tim leaves behind his wife, Melanie, his ex-wife and dear friend Cathy, his parents, Norman and Judy Greene, his brothers Rick and Jeff Greene, his sister and brother-in-law Katie and Michael Bergamasco, his two nephews, Nick Greene and David Bergamasco, and his cats, Lucky, Jamaica, Myah, and Jasmine, as well as hundreds of friends from all over the country, and countless other cherished people whose lives touched his, regardless how briefly. Friends may call at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette from 10:00 AM until the service at 12:00 PM Saturday Sept. 22 with Pastor Billy Holden officiating. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com