Remembrance
of
Major General Paul Miller Timmerberg
United States Army, Retired
Delivered
by
Colonel Patrick R. Lowrey
United States Army, Retired
Funeral Service
With Military Honors
0900 Hours
Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Fort Myer Post Chapel
Fort Myer, Virginia
INTRODUCTION.
Good morning, everyone. Today, I am deeply honored to have been asked by the Timmerberg Family to offer a brief remembrance -- to help celebrate the life of Paul Miller Timmerberg, Major General, United States Army, Military Police Corps.
On behalf of Dorothy and her family, let me thank all of you for being here. I can see that some here today have come from long ways: New Hampshire, Florida, Texas, Hawaii, New York, and other distant places in our country. A special thanks to each of you.
The life time journey of Paul Timmerberg began in America’s heartland; -- a journey that would take him around the world -- from the jungles of war -- to the Pentagon corridors of power. His was a journey of principle and purpose -- enriched by the mutual love of a beloved wife and partner of six decades. His was a journey en-nobled by 4 children, 12 grand children and 4 great grand children; a journey made lighter by shared laughter of family, colleagues and friends. His was a journey of fidelity to a Nation and an Army that he so proudly served.
OVERVIEW
Paul Timmerberg was a man without pretension; his decency and humility - were obvious and compelling. His concern for people was authentic.
His private persona included a wonderful sense of humor. Within the confines of his closest associates and comrades, his humor was punctuated with a contagious “in-your-face” booming laugh. If he were standing next to me at this moment, -- a twinkle in his eye: -- unaware of time constraints placed on me for these remarks, his admonishment would be: “Get on with it Pat -- these folks need to leave before the DC rush hour.”
During Paul Timmerberg’s journey through jobs of increasing responsibility, little did he realize that his destiny was to became a distinctive icon of the Military Police Corps. In the storied history of the Corps in both World Wars -- and in conflicts since then, there are only a handful of men (of the MP Corps) who might also lay claim to this elite magnitude of accomplishment. Paul Timmerberg is in that handful.
He was thrust into command of the CID -- amid the turmoil of the post-Vietnam Army – and the instability of a seriously troubled MP Corps. Because his command was among the Army’s 12 major commands, he was a member of that imposing body of senior Army leadership. The measure of his success was his unprecedented command tenure of eight continuous years.
He served four different Secretaries of the Army and three succeeding Chiefs of Staff. In Major General Paul Timmerberg, the Army’s leadership saw the best of the MP Corps -- and the MP Corps had a leader whose strength, character and balance -- brought calm and healing to one of the most divisive periods in our Corps history.
He was a leader who accepted command responsibility as a solemn commitment to those he was privileged to lead. The enormous silhouette of Paul Timmerberg – an icon – left an indelible mark on today’s Army MP Corps.
Throughout his journey in life, he walked hand-in-hand with his beloved spouse and partner -- whom he first met while they were grade school children. In early adulthood, they became the inseparable husband and wife team. He would say many times over: “Dorothy is the solid foundation of my endeavors and successes.”
General Timmerberg was extremely proud to be a soldier. But he was even prouder of other distinctive titles he held: father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was involved in every aspect of his family’s lives and his influence in his family is visible today.
CLOSING
In closing, let me say there are legions of men and women whose lives were touched -- and careers inspired -- by Paul Timmerberg. The deep and abiding respect for him is reflected by your presence in this chapel --and in dozens of notes and letters received by the Timmerberg Family and our Retired MP Officer Organization in last few weeks. One note of memorium, describing the writer’s days as a young officer in one of Paul’s command -- epitomizes the sentiments. It reads as follows:
QUOTE: “This is in memory of my mentor and friend who’s lessons of leadership I carried for 28 years in the Army. By every definition, General Timmerberg was the finest of gentlemen. The world is a sadder place without him, but a better place -- for him having been with us.”
END QUOTE
And so today, on behalf of a grateful, community of family, friends and comrades in arms -- here and throughout our country, we celebrate the journey of this soldier and patriot. We thank the Almighty for Paul Timmerberg’s life, and we ask for God's blessings - on him and his family.
Dorothy, speaking for all of the friends that you and Paul have -- around the country -- who could not be with you today, their deepest and profound sympathy is extended to you and your family.
Honorary Pall Bearers
Retired Military Police Officers
United States Army
Colonel Frank Cohn
Colonel William Gregerson
Colonel William GregersonColonel Albert Green Colonel Patrick Lowrey
Colonel Patrick LowreyLieutenant Colonel Loren Bush Lieutenant Colonel W. Chase Maglin
Lieutenant Colonel W. Chase MaglinLieutenant Colonel Thomas O’Hara Colonel Leo Roppo
Colonel Leo Roppo
