|
 Dr.
Paul Boatman says of Tim that he is one of the most effective
“bridge-people” he has ever met: “His bridging brings community,
church, business, and performance together as a healthier and more
diverse entity. Tim is a collegial-style leader who has been willing
to serve in such varied roles as minister, businessman, actor,
director.” Dr. Boatman says Tim is a genuine “Man for All Seasons”
(quoting the title of a famous 1966 play).
Tim sometimes jokes that he grew up in a prison. The reason is
because the prison in Albion, where his father was sheriff, was
annexed to their family home. Dinelle Frankland, who is also from
Albion, has nothing but the highest praise for Tim as her mentor and
cheerleader!
Growing up in a prison or not, Tim is, without a doubt, one of the
freest men I have ever met: free in his kindness, free in his
smiles, free in his services rendered, and free in his devotion to
church and community! He has liberated so many people here in
Lincoln and Logan County to discover their musical, theatrical,
spiritual, and leadership talents! Testimonials as to Tim’s
versatility and influence have come to me from every segment of our
population.
Tim first came to Lincoln in 1970 to study music and drama under his
beloved mentor, David Hargrove. He learned singing and directing
from observing Mr. Hargrove’s leadership in The Master’s Men and The
Restoration Players (in the Christian school’s drama department).
Vera Thomas remembers that it was there that she first became
acquainted with Tim.
Starting already in his college years, Tim was
performing in and directing plays and musicals at the Christian
College and in the Lincoln Community Theater (LCT, where he has
served on the board for many years). Notable plays in Tim’s
repertoire are Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Oklahoma, My Fair
Lady, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and I Do, I Do (at the opening of
the Maple Club)!
Tim became married to his fantastic partner, Lorna (now, for 48
years)! According to how he tells the story of seeing Lorna for the
first time, it was love at first sight for him, and, indeed, they
look glowing in their wedding pictures. I noticed that Tim bore a
striking resemblance to the young Paul Newman in those pictures!
In an hour-long interview I had with the irrepressible Gossetts
(Bill and Jean), they repeatedly emphasized to me that Tim has been
a leading visionary for stage performance in Lincoln by his
integrity, credibility, and winsome personality. He has recruited
many in our county, trained them, and motivated them to entertain
the community. Bill and Jean credit much of the appeal of the shows
and of the number of local actors and singers to Tim’s joyful
personality!
In 1977, Tim and Lorna moved back to Lincoln from
Windsor, IL. Tim and Lorna had gone to Windsor after college to work
in a church with the music and the youth. Tim returned to Lincoln to
work as chaplain under Jim Emerson at the Christian Village.
However, after 6 months, Tim was promoted to become administrator of
the facility. With obvious pride and joy, he speaks in glowing terms
of the staff he worked with for 23 years!
From 2000 to 2010, while Tim was on staff at Lincoln Christian
Church, I first met Tim. It was there that both Vera Thomas (as
church secretary) and I (as preaching minister) worked closely, for
some years, with Tim. Also working closely with Tim at that time was
the lead minister of the Christian Church, Tom Gerdts. Both Tom and
Tim excelled in providing comforting and beautiful memorial services
for the community.
Thinking back on the many years that Tim has preached and sung at
Christian funerals, Dr. Boatman has written: “For funerals of my own
loved ones I have asked Tim to seek out some not-so-familiar pieces,
which he delivered with excellence and good-taste. In doing so he
provides a sensitive touch of music that helps bereaved families to
cope with tragic loss.” In fact, thinking back on those years of
serving the Lincoln community together, Tom Gerdts says he sometimes
wondered if Tim had a clone since he was popping up in so many
leadership roles! In 2010, Tim became the
Executive Director of Castle Manor. His extraordinary love and
caring for the elderly, which is his life’s passion, and one of his
outstanding characteristics, originates from his grandmother and
grandpa, Edna and August Hering. With obvious emotions. Tim told how
his grandparents instilled this love for the elderly in him and
Mark, the brother he is closest to. Kay
Dobson commented that Tim has been one of the easiest conductors for
her to work with. She also observed that Tim knew how to encourage
people to become even better than they would have imagined. Linda
Storm, one of Tim’s closest friends, who also regularly plays the
piano or organ with him, says: “Tim is one of those rare people who
see things in others that they may not see in themselves. Then, he
sets about connecting people to best use their giftedness and
interests. The end result always reminds us that we are better when
working together for a common goal!
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Brandon Davis, who has worked closely with Tim in
theatrical performances, both in the church and in LCT, observes:
“He approaches every show, sketch or song with integrity and pure
joy. He has also instilled the importance of creating a loving
community with fellow cast & crew members. The typical theater drama
is always at a minimum whenever Tim is at the helm.”
Throughout all this time, we have continued to observe his quiet,
persistent, dependable leadership in all these important
organizations in our community. He has also directed LAMS, a
community choir, for nine years. Dr. Boatman became a member of LAMS
and described Tim’s leadership this way: “Through leading by
instructing, guiding, running over segments repeatedly,
demonstrating, coaxing, and cajoling Tim repeatedly produced a choir
performance that bridged genres from Classical to Pop to Broadway to
Ethnic to Religious!”
However, following a very serious episode with Covid, that brought
him near death, Tim decided to retire from LAMS and is now planning
trips and adventures with Lorna. The new leader of LAMS is Dinelle
Frankland, part of Tim’s legacy to the community.
Featuring high in the Searbys’ plans are his son and daughter.
Emmary (married to Aaron) is beloved throughout our community and
church. Jason (married to Robin) lives in New Albany, IN, and has
made a remarkable recovery from a very critical surgery for Crohn’s
Disease. You should have seen the pride in Tim’s eyes as he lists
his three grandchildren: Owen, Eli, and Ella!
So many enjoyable evenings of theater plays, so many
inspiring worship experiences, all performed by local talent, are
due to his vision and encouragement! Tim’s own singing talent, as
well as his skills at the piano and the organ, continue to bring joy
and delight to so many in Logan County! In addition, many families
in Logan County, like Tom and Karen Gerdts, remember with gratitude
the influence that Tim and Lorna have had on their children and
family!
Tim and his wonderful wife have been infusing our town with
character, laughter, culture, and deeply rooted Christian values for
many years. Despite his many achievements and accomplishments over
so many years, Tim remains a caring, humble servant. When I asked
him if I could nominate him and interview him, he asked for an hour
to think it over.
BTW, Dinelle Frankland had warned me that Tim is a giver who always
thinks of others more highly than himself. Within that requested
hour, however, Lorna called me and said she’d love for me to
nominate him, but it would be hard for him personally to give me
permission!
Everyone who reflected on Tim and Lorna’s impact on our community
has commented on the obvious joy in living that God has instilled in
this wonderful couple! Tim, you are one of the major reasons that
our group of men gathers weekly at Mama’s Café: we are enchanted by
your stories, your infectious laughs, and the obvious joy in living
under God’s providence that your presence invites us to!
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My
nomination for Hometown Hero: Tim Searby, A Man for all Seasons
