Obituary: Dr. Timothy Woltanski, 71, of Scottville

Timothy R. Woltanski, M.D., of Scottville, died on January 4, 2024. He was 71 years old. In the end, his heart failed; however, he never failed to give his heart to his family, friends, and community.

Doc started his medical practice in 1981. He was an old school practitioner who prioritized bedside manner, made house calls, and saw walk-ins. He removed more fish hooks from a variety of body parts than anyone else around. Taking after his father, he was always up for a chat and loved storytelling.

Since his retirement in 2018, he could be found reading amongst stacks of books, puttering on house projects, collecting interesting items at auctions, or honing his napping skills. He volunteered at the Caritas Food Pantry in Custer. Tim was a lifelong musician and sang bass in the church choir for 27 years.

Doc spent many years as an on-field doctor for Mason County Central’s football team, developed the athletic training program, and performed hundreds of in-school sports physicals. He also supported school music and drama programs. He was on the ground floor of creating the local Quality Deer Management program.

His time as a 4-H leader for his horse-loving daughters led to his own interest in draft horses. He was always on the lookout for antique horse-drawn farm equipment (known to some in the family as his rusty s***).

Tim was born in Grand Rapids and raised on a farm in Kent City. He was the second of 10 children. He was valedictorian of his Kent City High School class, attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, and graduated from Wayne State Medical School in 1978. His residency at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn allowed him to meet his future wife. He and Maggie were married for 42 years. Tim would do anything for his two daughters, Amy (Matt) Mroch of Grandville and Laura Woltanski of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was also known as dad to many exchange students, most of whom he was able to see on a recent trip to Greece. Tim was most proud of being Papa to his three grandsons, Tommy, Aaron, and David Mroch.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services in Scottville. Remembrances can be made in the form of contributions to Caritas Food Pantry, c/o St. Mary’s Church, 85 S. Madison St., Custer, MI 49405.