Timothy Karppinen passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, in Muskegon, MI at the age of 82. Tim was born in Muskegon, MI to Eino and Lillian Karppinen. He was the middle child of three, with a younger sister, Mary, and older sister, Martha (Marty).

One of Tim’s first jobs was a dune-buggy driver at Mac Woods Dune Rides during the summers between attending Western Michigan University; he credits that job to making lifelong friends, and the Wood’s for their friendship. Besides dune-buggy driving, Tim held many roles over the years, but was particularly proud of his teaching career spanning 27 years in Hart and Newaygo, MI. He taught primarily in alternative education, directing many summer programs for his students. Living in Silver Lake, MI for much of his adult life, he was known for his traditional Finnish sauna and hospitality to his friends and neighbors.

Tim was an avid reader, and known for his expansive vocabulary, witty sayings, and metaphors. He won many a trivia night due to his knowledge on just about anything. He is also known for his years of intense athletic pursuits, including over 50 triathlons, 75 marathons and ultra-marathons (including 100-mile races), and his scaling of Mt. McKinley in Alaska and the Vinson Massif in Antarctica. Along with mountain climbing, Tim was an avid racquetball, tennis, and table tennis player, spending much time at the previous Norton Pines Athletic Club in Norton Shores, MI. He also enjoyed traveling via motorcycle with his friends Lloyd, and Steve, and spent many summers backpacking and canoeing with his friends.

Getting older, Tim decided it was time to try something easier on his knees, so he took up pickleball and ran several venues in its early years around Muskegon and participated in many events all over Michigan with his dear friends Andy Garrow and Denis Robison.

Tim always wanted grandkids but realized “I found out I had to have kids first,” so his only child, Malachi, was born to Tim and Eka when Tim was 57 years old. Tim prided himself on being a father and dedicated the rest of his life to raising his kid.

Tim is preceded in death by his parents Eino and Lillian, and sisters Mary and Martha. He leaves his son Malachi, niece Bonnie (Steve) Cavadas and their two children, Elena and Sydney; and nephew Stephen (Bonnie) Linhares and their four children, Bailey, Riley, Sydney, and Casey. There is no planned memorial or service.