Timothy Donald Lauer, Waltham, MA/formerly Janesville (1987- 2015)

November 23, 2015

July 24, 1987- November 17, 2015

Timothy Donald Lauer passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 17, 2015. He was born to Norman Lauer and Deborah (Tomten) Gillespie on July 24, 1987 in Janesville, WI. He was living in Waltham, MA. As the youngest of four children, Tim was very witty and known as ‘the good one’. Tim was good natured and had a genuine personality. He grew up involved with the day to day operations of the family farm. Tim was an active member of the local 4-H club and exhibited in Dairy, Woodworking, Drawing & Painting, and Poultry. He also wrestled and played football in youth clubs through high school. Tim was a 2006 graduate of Whitewater High School. During his time at Whitewater he was an eleven time varsity letter winner and a two-time WIAA state qualifier (once in Wrestling, once in Track & Field). He was also a member of the yearbook committee. As an Undergraduate at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Tim completed a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Microbiology. He was recognized as Outstanding Senior in 2011 by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Biology Department and was selected for the Leoba Hogan Scientific Research Scholarship for that same department. He was a member of the Track & Field team and active in student government and other causes. He placed sixth in the WIAC Track & Field Championships and co-founded a student group called Progress on Health Disparities. With that group he helped to organize a free clinic in Northern Mexico where he helped screened individuals for diabetes. Tim served as student body president during his undergraduate years at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and was said to have a common sense approach to issues, which helped him to be an efficient leader. He also served as a Building Committee /Steering Committee member for the Davies Student Center Project and initiated a comprehensive ecological restoration of the Little Niagara, which now banks the new building. Tim was an artist. He learned to draw and paint from his mother, 4-H and in public schools. He created art for enjoyment and relaxation but also displayed his work in online forums and around home. Tim also had a love for travel and adventure. Tim had been conducting research at the Center for Behavioral Genomics at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. He had earned his Master’s Degree and was working towards his PhD. His work, relating to the structure and function of Molecular Sensory Genomics, identified pathways related to development of the mammalian somatosensory region during brain development. Tim had also conducted undergraduate research in the areas of applied mathematics and plant genetics at UW Eau Claire. Tim had been described by his mentors as intelligent, patient, hard-working, articulate and insightful. He has been published on many occasions. Tim married Birte Lauer, MD on Sept. 7, 2014, in a beautiful ceremony in the hills of The Mohican National Forrest in Ohio. Together they enjoyed traveling and had a love of nature. They spent their honeymoon in Canada at Moraine Lake. Among his many future aspirations, Tim was working to open his own independent research lab focused on next generation targeted psychotherapeutics. He and his wife, Birte, would be moving to Chicago in the summer of 2016 where they planned to start their family together. Tim was a scholar, artist, athlete, scientist, husband, brother, son, friend and traveler. Tim’s smile and light will be a void in the world and in the lives of those who loved him.

He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Birte Lauer of Long Island New York; his parents, Norman Lauer and Deborah (Alan) Gillespie; two grandparents, Virginia Lauer and Donald Tomten; and three siblings, Lee Ann (Rocky) Klitzke, William (Rebekah) Lauer, Elizabeth (Ross) White. He was preceded in death by two grandparents, Willis Lauer and Margaret Tomten; two aunts, Christine Arnold and Cynthia Benner; and his uncle Joseph Benner.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at the MILTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH with Pastor Steve Scott officiating. Burial will follow at the Milton Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at the ALBRECHT FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATION SERVICES, Milton from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the start of the service at the CHURCH on Wednesday.

Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton

828 S. Janesville St., 608-868-2542