CBA
Mourns Loss Of Lightning Owner
Wayne Timpe passes away at the age of 62.
01.22.04
- Wayne Timpe, the owner of the Rockford Lightning for the past 11 years,
passed away at 4:43 am Wednesday morning after complications from a year-long
battle with lymphoma. Timpe was 62 years old.
"The
Timpe family would like to thank all of Wayne's friends and supporters,
and all the staff at OSF St. Anthony for all their support in the past year,"
said the Timpe family in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
Funeral
services will be held Saturday, January 24 at 11:00 am at St. Rita Catholic
Church, located at 6284 Valley Knoll Drive in Rockford. Visitation
will also take place for one hour before the funeral.
"All around
the CBA, we are deeply saddened by Wayne’s passing," stated Continental
Basketball Association Commissioner Gary Hunter. "It is a tremendous loss
for our league. The CBA is going to miss his experience and leadership,
and our condolences certainly go out to his family."
Timpe's
tenure with the Lightning began in July of 1993 as a partner in the ownership
group Rockford Pro Sports, Inc. He bought sole ownership of the team in
March of 1998. The Lightning was one of two businesses Timpe called
his own. He was also the CEO/Owner of LKG industries, a manufacturer and
international supplier of electronic parts under the brand names of Philmore,
Carter-Craft, and DATAK.
The Rockford
College graduate and donor also served 11 years as a volunteer fireman in
Cherry Valley, Illinois.
Timpe
is survived by his wife, Judy, and three daughters, Lisa, Kathy, and Gail,
as well as six grandchildren.
