John Arnold Timour
1926 - 2004

John A. Timour, University Librarian emeritus, Thomas Jefferson University, died in Washington, NC on September 29, 2004.

John was born in Hartford, CT, son of the late John Alfred and Karin Elizabeth Timour. He received his BA from Miami University in Ohio. He received a Master of the Arts Degree from George Washington University and a Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Maryland. He was a liaison officer at the National Library of Medicine from 1966-1969; Director of Library Services at Connecticut Regional Medical Program-Yale University from 1969-1973; Director of the Mid-Eastern Medical Library Service in Philadelphia from 1973-1975; and University Librarian at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia from 1975-1987. He was Adjunct Professor of Library Science at Drexel University in Philadelphia from 1976-1978. He contributed several articles to professional journals. He was a member of the Association of Academic Health Sciences Library Directors, American Medical Writers Association (President of the Philadelphia Chapter, 1986-1987); Medical Library Association (Board of Directors from 1978-1981, Eliot Prize in 1974); Academy of Health Information Professionals; Special Libraries Association (President of the Philadelphia Chapter, 1979-1980), Connecticut Association of Health Science Librarians; Sigma Xi and Beta Phi Mu. During his retirement, he was a member of the Washington (NC) Yacht and Country Club. He and his wife Betty, to whom he was married for fifty-two years, enjoyed golfing and boating.

During his years at Jefferson's Scott Memorial Library, John served as a role model for many of his fellow librarians. His urbane wit, talent for writing and public speaking, generous spirit, and relaxed temperament made him a favorite with colleagues around the country. John encouraged his staff to write for publication, to be active in professional organizations, and to pursue the practice of health science librarianship to its fullest. He continued to follow their careers after he retired in 1987, returning for visits and shooting off e-mail messages to former staff members. He is fondly remembered by his many friends and colleagues in the Philadelphia area.