of St. Louis, MO passed away suddenly on September 2, 2025. Tim has been described in many ways: a wonderful man, a walking encyclopedia, too smart for his own good, the best part of going to physics class, etc. Unfortunately, it would take all day to list what he meant to everyone who knew him. Thought he would never believe it if you’d told him, he made big impressions on everyone who met him. He was honest, earnest, compassionate, and smart.

Tim worked at the NGA as a Geodetic Scientist, but his coworkers knew him as the guy they could get on a 2-hour tangent about physics, history, almost any topic if you phrased it right. Tim was always the first person to offer to help someone and was genuinely a friend to everyone. He was known for his kindness, profound curiosity, love of learning, and inability to leave a question unanswered.

Outside of work, Tim was a notorious homebody and would use the excuse of needing to get home to his wife and dogs to get there sooner. Once home, he could be found playing video games, keeping up with tech news, reading, or just watching TV with his family: Abby (wife), Willow (dog), and Daisy (dog). He loved all animals, but Willow was definitely his favorite with Daisy as a close second. Tim was described by his wife as a “once in a lifetime if you are really lucky” partner and she already misses him more than words can say. Tim’s passing has left voids in our lives where he used to be, and it will take time for us to learn how to stitch our worlds back together.

He is survived by his wife, Abigail (Abby) Magee, PhD; his dogs, Willow and Daisy; his mother, Debra Roppoli; his father, Timothy James VanZant; his sister and brother, Caitlin and Tyler Trail; and his grandmother, Marjorie Gough. Tim is also survived by additional family members and many close friends.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to local animal shelters or to Alveus Sanctuary (alveussanctuary.org)