Richard William Timm
Encyclopedia
Richard William Timm, CSC, also known as Father Timm or Fr. Timm, is an educator, a zoologist, and an active participant on the works on social development. He is the Superior of the Order of Holy Cross in Dhaka. He is also one of the founders of Notre Dame College in Dhaka
, Bangladesh
. He was the 6th principal (1970 to 1972) of Notre Dame College.
Born under German ancestry from both sides on March 2, 1923, in Michigan City
, Indiana
, USA, Father Timm is the second among the four siblings – Elder Brother Bob, who died in a Submarine in World War II
, and younger sisters Mary Jo Schiel and Genevieve Gantner.
in 1987 for International Understanding.
In response to his activities for development, Father Timm was honoured with the citizenship from three different governments.
Among the many varieties of Nematode
s he discovered, the Marine Nematode Timmia parva was named after Father Timm himself.
Father Timm’s scientific expeditions involved a landscape spanning from Antarctica Penguin Colonies to the Mangrove
of South Asia. Many of his expeditions were confined in the area of the Sundarbans
and other parts of South Asia but he covered many other parts of the world as well. His other expeditions include Africa, Europe, Antarctica and The Americas.
. He is a recognized person for the operations of Notre Dame College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Founded in November 1949, the college is still carrying on with its reputation and quality and is one of the best educational institutions in Bangladesh by the official ranking. He also took the responsibility of the Principal of Notre Dame College for the term 1970-71 and worked as the Director of Studies as well. He is still connected with the college though not taking part in academic activities. He is also the founder of the Science Departments in Notre Dame College and the pioneer for the club activities.
The Textbook of College Biology is a writing of Father Timm that served as a textbook for East Pakistan
i – Bangladeshi schools for many years. This text is actually an extension of a book by A. Bhuya of Dhaka Government College but not much of the original version was preserved in the extension. A Laboratory Manual for College Biology was a predecessor for the text, though didn’t have the popularity due to the comparatively higher price.
(SAFHR). Right now he is a consultant for Caritas Bangladesh and a board member for several Caritas project as well as the projects of other NGOs.
He also conducted relief works for the distressed at the time of the war.
) and CRS
. The rehabilitation effort was conducted among the homeless and those who have lost all in the war.
On other disasters, including the great flood of 1998, Notre Dame College and Caritas both participated in the relief effort both in and out of Dhaka City under the participation and influence of Father Timm.
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. He was the 6th principal (1970 to 1972) of Notre Dame College.
Born under German ancestry from both sides on March 2, 1923, in Michigan City
Michigan City
Michigan City may refer to:* Michigan City, California* Michigan City, Indiana* Michigan City, Mississippi* Michigan City, North Dakota...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, USA, Father Timm is the second among the four siblings – Elder Brother Bob, who died in a Submarine in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and younger sisters Mary Jo Schiel and Genevieve Gantner.
Awards and recognitions
Father Timm was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay AwardRamon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
in 1987 for International Understanding.
In response to his activities for development, Father Timm was honoured with the citizenship from three different governments.
Among the many varieties of Nematode
Nematode
The nematodes or roundworms are the most diverse phylum of pseudocoelomates, and one of the most diverse of all animals. Nematode species are very difficult to distinguish; over 28,000 have been described, of which over 16,000 are parasitic. It has been estimated that the total number of nematode...
s he discovered, the Marine Nematode Timmia parva was named after Father Timm himself.
Research Works
Father Timm, as a Biologist, conducted exclusive surveys on Nematodes and discovered over 250 new species.Father Timm’s scientific expeditions involved a landscape spanning from Antarctica Penguin Colonies to the Mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
of South Asia. Many of his expeditions were confined in the area of the Sundarbans
Sundarbans
The Sundarbans [Sundarban Tour Booking-9051115228] is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.The name Sundarban can be literally translated as "beautiful jungle" or "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language...
and other parts of South Asia but he covered many other parts of the world as well. His other expeditions include Africa, Europe, Antarctica and The Americas.
Scientific Discoveries
The Following are among the many discoveries of Father Timm.- Timmia parva – marine nematode.
- Two varieties of Aphelenchoides – marine nematodes with Dr. Mary Franklyn
- Imponema, Filiponema and Plutellonema – three new genera of earth nematodes with Dr. Armand Maggenti
- Two varieties of Megadontolaimus – a marine nematode genus from Cox's Bazaar.
Works in Spreading Education
Since 1952, Father Richard W. Timm has been working in the education sector of BangladeshBangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. He is a recognized person for the operations of Notre Dame College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Founded in November 1949, the college is still carrying on with its reputation and quality and is one of the best educational institutions in Bangladesh by the official ranking. He also took the responsibility of the Principal of Notre Dame College for the term 1970-71 and worked as the Director of Studies as well. He is still connected with the college though not taking part in academic activities. He is also the founder of the Science Departments in Notre Dame College and the pioneer for the club activities.
The Textbook of College Biology is a writing of Father Timm that served as a textbook for East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
i – Bangladeshi schools for many years. This text is actually an extension of a book by A. Bhuya of Dhaka Government College but not much of the original version was preserved in the extension. A Laboratory Manual for College Biology was a predecessor for the text, though didn’t have the popularity due to the comparatively higher price.
Social Development Activities
Father Timm is called as the Father of NGO (Non Government Organizations. mainly for development) in Bangladesh. His activities served as the initiating force for the Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB) , the Coordinator Council for Human Rights in Bangladesh (CCHRB) and South Asia Forum for Human RightsSouth Asia Forum for Human Rights
The South Asia Forum for Human Rights is a South Asia-focused human rights organization based in Kathmandu whose mission is to "promote respect for universal standards of human rights with emphasis on universality and interdependence of human rights." They view human rights as interlinked with...
(SAFHR). Right now he is a consultant for Caritas Bangladesh and a board member for several Caritas project as well as the projects of other NGOs.
Activities during the War
Father Timm expressed his opinion about the incidents and against the genocide on the liberation war of Bangladesh through his writing. He emphasized the difficult situations on civilians and the violation of human rights. His letters written to Dr. Rohde served to build public opinion around the world and especially in USA against the war in Bangladesh.He also conducted relief works for the distressed at the time of the war.
Activities on Reconstruction
After the liberation war of Bangladesh, Father Timm Actively took part in the newborn country’s reconstruction work together with the UN, USAID, CORR (The Christian Organization for Relief and Rehabilitation, later CaritasCaritas (charity)
Caritas Internationalis is a confederate of 164 Roman Catholic relief, development and social service organisations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide....
) and CRS
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the U.S. bishops, the agency provides assistance to 130 million people in more than 90 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and...
. The rehabilitation effort was conducted among the homeless and those who have lost all in the war.
Disaster Response
On November 12, 1970, a great cyclone struck the coastal areas of East Pakistan and killed at least 50,000 people. Father Timm, assisted by the students of Notre Dame College, CORR (The Christian Organization for Relief and Rehabilitation, later Caritas) and HELP (Heartland Emergency Life-Saving Project), conducted several relief expeditions in the affected areas. The response was among the biggest of those taken by Non Government People.On other disasters, including the great flood of 1998, Notre Dame College and Caritas both participated in the relief effort both in and out of Dhaka City under the participation and influence of Father Timm.
Accusations
Despite his well-earned reputation, Father Timm was numerously accused by some newspapers as being the chief of CIA in Bangladesh. The accusation, however, was never proved and was never found to be based on solid facts. He dumps fire.Books
- “Forty Years in Bangladesh: Memoirs of Father Timm” published by Caritas in 1995.
- “The Plant-Parasitic Nematodes of Thailand and The Philippines” published by SEATO in 1965