David Tiller

David J. Tiller David John Tiller, age 69, died peacefully at his home in Stambaugh Township, Iron River, MI on January 10, 2012, with family by his side, after a brief illness. David Tiller was born October 9, 1942 in Superior, WI to Helmer and Junice (Severson) Tiller, both of Norwegian descent. After WWII, the family moved back to their home town of Eau Claire, WI where David spent his childhood and young adulthood. From 1960 to 1964, David served in the U.S. Marine Corps at Twenty-nine Palms, CA , attaining the rank of Corporal. There he made a treasured life-long friend, George Patterson (DeSoto, MO, surviving). After completing his service, he obtained a BS degree from University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. He lived for a year in Vancouver, BC before settling in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, first in Beechwood and later in Stambaugh Township, MI. David worked for 18 years as a biologist for White Water Associates, Amasa, using his exceptional abilities in bird, mammal, and plant identification, and all outdoor skills. Dave was a talented observer of people, the land, and all living things. Other work included building log homes, making natural crafts, serving as a VA benefit counselor, and working in a home for mentally-challenged adults. Dave was a charter member of both Lee LeBlanc Audubon Club (and initiated the Christmas Bird Count in Iron County) and the Iron County Watershed Coalition, and a past president of Trout Unlimited. David led the way in the restoration of the Iron River riparian area, obtaining grants and designing techniques to cover mining waste rock and restore native plant species. Dave was privileged to participate with his wife Beth as coauthors (with Dr. Jim Halfpenny and Meghan Wallis-Murphy) on a mammal tracking book, Track Plates for Mammals, published by A Naturalist's World, Gardiner, MT, 2009. For David, the simple life was second nature. He built a scribed log home of white spruce on his 40 acres where he maintained a large garden, a blueberry patch, and a sugar bush. He enjoyed fly fishing, deer hunting, and grouse and pheasant hunting with his springer spaniel. Dave and his wife Beth reveled in birdwatching, mammal tracking, botanizing, canoeing, camping and kayaking. They built many memories together with trips to Yellowstone, North Dakota, Missouri, southeast Arizona, Texas, much of the U.P. and even the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Dave was an avid reader and through this medium taught himself much of the knowledge that served him so well. He had an impeccable memory of everything he read, being able to name characters of novels he encountered over 40 years ago. He is survived by his long time partner and cherished wife, Elizabeth "Beth" (Rogers) Tiller, Ph.D., with whom he shared his passions for the simple life and the natural world, working side by side as biologists for many years and camping and traveling together. He is also survived by his two beloved sons by a previous marriage (to Margaret Scheffer, Iron River, also surviving): Gabriel Tiller (Portland, OR) and Raphael Tiller (Duluth, MN). He once said that having children was like having the most wonderful garden imaginable - watching each child grow and change, with new delights constantly appearing. He is also survived by a sister, Susan Partlow-Ottum (Ron) (New Auburn, WI), two nephews and a niece, and an aunt and uncle. He leaves behind a plethora of friends, of varied ages, from every stage of his life. You are too numerous to name, but know that he relished every opportunity to connect and share stories, and appreciated all your phone calls, visits, and kindnesses over the years. He leaves his Springer, Tove, who provided endless joy to Beth. David will be remembered as a peacemaker - a quiet man who was honest in all his dealings, and kind and understanding of others. He had a ready sense of humor that centered on an appreciation of the absurd in life and always enjoyed a good laugh. Borrowing from naturalist Loren Eiseley, it could be said of David that "he loved this good Earth, but could not stay." The family will hold a memorial for family and friends in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Iron County Cancer Unit, the West Iron District Library, the Beechwood Historical Society, the Iron County Watershed Coalition, or another charity or cause that reflects his life and loves. Condolences to the family of David Tiller may be expressed online at nashfuneralhome.net The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.

David Tiller

October 9, 1942 - January 10, 2012