Born and raised in Canada, Henry Timnick is the son of immigrant parents who left Russia in 1928 because of the Bolshevik’s harsh treatment of ethnic German-Lutherans. His childhood years were difficult as his family struggled to establish themselves, but their lives were filled with love, laughter, and generosity.
Henry’s mother, Ottilie Schroeter Timnick, was the most important person in his life. “She led by example and shared her good humor, wit, compassion, hospitality, curiosity, and generous spirit with me and everyone who knew her,” Henry said. “She served as an inspiration to me to make a difference in the lives of others.” Ottilie passed away in 2002 at the age of 108.
Henry came to the United States in 1951 and soon after enrolled at Michigan State University. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in 1955, and he was drafted into the United States Navy from 1955 to 1957. He then returned to Michigan State University for graduate school and received his MBA in 1958. After graduating, he joined General Electric where he worked until 1970. Afterward, Henry become an entrepreneur, focusing on turning around failing businesses.
A dedicated lifelong learner, Henry is an avid reader, extremely well-traveled, and has biked every inch of France over 40 years. He lived in 21 cities all over the world before settling in Belvedere, California in 1993.
Henry has enjoyed a particularly rewarding career. “The key to happiness,” he said, “is to love your work and all aspects of what you do.”
His success has allowed him to share his time, talent, and treasure with many people in his life, including close friends and students who are recipients of scholarships he supports. “I feel fortunate to be able to give back and help others,” he said.
Henry’s philanthropic interests include healthcare, the environment, education, injustice, and international causes. Actively participating to make the world a better place—lifting up the lives of those who have less, improving community resources, and addressing social injustice—are values important to him.
A longtime supporter of MarinHealth, Henry became a member of the Save Our Hospital Alliance in the early 2000s. Committed community activists, Henry and others paved the way for MarinHealth’s growth as a strong, independent hospital system.
Henry made his first donation to MarinHealth Foundation in 2002 and has continued to make significant gifts ever since. In 2015, he made a bequest in his will to MarinHealth Foundation, helping to ensure that MarinHealth delivers the best healthcare for the community far into the future.
As a MarinHealth patient himself, he thinks the hospital is “incredible,” and he is grateful to the dedicated physicians, nurses, and clinical staff who have served him with expertise, dignity, and respect. Beyond that, he supports the many people who have worked so hard to build the Oak Pavilion, which opened its doors in 2020 and ensures that MarinHealth remains an independent community hospital.
“Those of us who have done well in life have a responsibility to support local causes,” he said. “MarinHealth should be a top priority.” He hopes that his legacy gift to MarinHealth Foundation will inspire others to make MarinHealth a philanthropic priority.