Timothy Justin VanZant
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)
I was a coworker of Tim and he told me about how his home was destroyed in OK. But what struck me about TIm was his positive energy and how he shrugged it off and moved on. My sincerest condolences to his spouse and family.
Words can never describe the profound impact my dear nephew made on anyone he met! A true kind and generous soul!! He will be in my heart forever! Rest in peace dear man!! I love you!!
I remember just as a kid, we were cousins in the same age. He was always so kind, respectful, and genuine. He will be so very missed, even though it may have been years since we spoke, doesn’t take the bond away that I shared with my cousin. My prayers go out to his wife, his dogs, and my Uncle Tim and all the rest of my cousins and aunt and uncles that lost a beautiful soul too early. May God grant you all the peace to get through this. My heart and prayers are with you all.🙏🏽❤️❤️
This hits hard. He was always a pleasure to talk to. My hallway buddy because we were on the same walk schedule. And his bright white shoes. Gonna miss you, man. Gone too soon. Hope you get to sit and play destiny 2 more often. Still can’t believe we never played together. Abby, he meant the world to a lot of us at NGA. His quiet ways made real impacts. Rest easy, my friend.
I worked with Tim at NGA. I am from Oklahoma and he started not too long after I did so we always had a lot to talk about and bonded because of that connection. He was always so fun to work with and I missed him a lot when he moved to a different group. I ran into him just a few weeks before his passing and was so happy to see him and told him I hoped he would come back to our division someday. I wish I had said more.
My fondest memory of Tim is from when we traveled to Australia together, he was a great travel companion. Easy to get along with and hardworking. Outside of work his only priority was getting a selfie with a quokka to send Abby, who he talked about all the time. I never met her but felt like I knew her. I’ll never forget the look of pure joy he had laying on the ground and taking a selfie next to an adorable tiny marsupial, knowing Abbey would see it.