The Nettleton School District mourns the loss of one of its most beloved figures as longtime educator Bobbie Timmermann passed away on June 17.
Born on January 19, 1938, Timmermann dedicated an extraordinary 58 years of her life to shaping young minds and building the foundation of educational excellence at Nettleton High School.
Bobbie Timmermann built her legendary career as a business teacher and bowling coach at Nettleton High School, where she became known as “the glue that held the school together.”
Her remarkable tenure began in the late 1960s, when she taught in a trailer after a devastating 1968 tornado destroyed the junior high and high schools.
Throughout her career, she demonstrated unwavering dedication by often arriving first and leaving last each day.
Timmermann taught over 7,500 students during her distinguished career, serving as both a business education instructor and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) adviser.
She specialized in practical business skills, teaching shorthand, 10-key operations, and real-world business applications that her students continued to use decades later.
Her curriculum emphasized preparing students for life beyond graduation, as she frequently reminded them that they wouldn’t have the safety net of school once they entered the real world.
As an FBLA instructor, Timmermann led countless trips and guided students to remarkable achievements.
She served 47 years as district coordinator for Arkansas District II FBLA, holding numerous state and national positions within the organization.
Her passion for the program extended beyond the classroom, as she participated in student activities well into her seventies, including whitewater rafting in Colorado, cruises at National Leadership Conferences, and even snow tubing at age 76.
Timmermann also achieved significant success as Nettleton’s bowling coach, leading her teams to three championships.
Her approach to coaching mirrored her teaching philosophy, emphasizing work ethic, responsibility, and the importance of finding and nurturing the good in every student who passed through her door.
The educator’s influence extended far beyond her direct students. Many of her former pupils returned to work alongside her at Nettleton, including Craig Miller, who taught radio and television down the hall from her classroom.
Miller, who had Timmermann as a teacher in the 1980s, praised her energy and passion, noting that she inspired him to maintain the same level of dedication to his students.
Even at age 87, Timmermann showed no signs of slowing down. She expressed her intention to continue teaching as long as the school would have her, driven by the joy of watching her students succeed 30, 40, or 50 years after graduation.
Her reward came from knowing she played even a small part in their future accomplishments.
Bobbie Timmermann Dies At Age 86, Years After Husband’s Death
Executive Principal Reshad Sims announced Timmermann’s passing on June 17, describing it as “a sad day in Nettleton history.”
The school community, which had long regarded her as irreplaceable, struggled to imagine Nettleton without her guiding presence.
Dr. Karen Curtner issued a heartfelt statement honoring Timmermann’s memory, describing her as
“more than a teacher—she was a guiding light, a mentor, and a cherished part of the Nettleton family.”
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Curtner emphasized that while the school halls would feel emptier without Timmermann’s presence, her spirit would continue to live on through the countless lives she touched.
Timmermann’s death came nearly eight years after losing her husband of 61 years, Dr. Dan Timmermann, Jr. Dr. Timmermann passed away on July 30, 2016, at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock at age 82.
The couple had built a remarkable educational legacy together, with Dr. Timmermann serving as a faculty member in the College of Biological Sciences at Arkansas State University for 26 years before retiring in 1993.
Dr. Dan Timmermann brought his own distinguished background to their partnership.
Born in New Braunfels, Texas, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and served as a U.S. Air Force pilot for three years, achieving the rank of Captain before his honorable discharge.
He later earned a master’s degree from Ohio State University and returned to Texas A&M for his doctorate before joining Arkansas State University in 1967.
Together, the Timmermanns became recognizable figures throughout Arkansas, with hundreds of students knowing them from their respective institutions.
Their combined decades of service created a powerful educational impact across the state.
The couple survived through their children: daughter Valerie and son-in-law Paul Beckelhimer of Siloam Springs, and son Larry and daughter-in-law Linda Timmermann of Jonesboro.
Their family expanded to include 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, creating a lasting family legacy to match their educational contributions.
Following Bobbie Timmermann’s death, social media filled with tributes from former students, colleagues, and family members.
Her grandson, Logan Timmermann, shared scripture verses that captured her legacy of teaching and service, while Arkansas FBLA recognized her as “the GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) for her contributions to the organization.
Craig Miller, her former student and colleague, announced her passing with the touching words:
“She is absent from her body. She is present with her Lord. What an impact she made while here on Earth.”
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His message captured the sentiment of the entire Nettleton community and the thousands of lives Timmermann influenced throughout her remarkable 58-year career.
The loss of Bobbie Timmermann marks the end of an era at Nettleton High School, but her legacy of dedication, passion, and unwavering belief in student potential will continue to inspire future generations of educators and students alike.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Bobbie personally helped put legs on several desks that were still being used in the Nettleton building during her later years.
- Among her business education curriculum, she taught shorthand and 10-key operations, which she acknowledged had become “dinosaur” skills by modern standards, yet some students like Lori Williams continued using these techniques decades later.
- Bobbie believed teachers must “act like an adult” and “be that responsible adult for the kids,” emphasizing that educators need patience and must believe there is good in every student while working to bring out that potential.
