Timothy Sheaff Obituary – Death: Dowling Catholic Teacher and Emcee Dies Unexpectedly: According to an online obituary on Friday, June 23, 2023, Timothy Sheaff has passed away unexpectedly. However, cause of death was not disclosed.
Steven Schappaugh, principal at Des Moines Roosevelt High School, tweeted the following:
“…to have lost a dear friend and mentor. He was the voice of the NSDA but he was so much more. I’m grateful for his advice, the laughs we shared, and the opportunities he afforded me.”
The NSDA also posted a nearly four-minute-long video honoring the decades Sheaff spent with the organization, his students and everyone in between:
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of longtime NSDA awards emcee Timothy Sheaff … Tim’s voice, his mentorship, and his leadership will be greatly missed.”
The Iowa High School Speech Association sent the following statement to Local 5 via email:
“Tim Sheaff was the heart and…the “voice” of all things debate in the State of Iowa. Tim served as the Chair of the Public Forum Divisions of the State Debate Tournament and the Debate Advisory Committee. He was inducted into the IHSSA Hall of Fame last October. In 2019 Tim was inducted into the National Speech and Debate Association Hall of Fame. Tim’s influence, his mentorship, and his friendship will be greatly missed. The IHSSA and its Executive Board express their heart-felt sympathies to the family of our beloved colleague.”
Dowling Catholic announced his death Friday in a Facebook post honoring the Class of 1986 alumnus for his accomplishments as a teacher and the director of its drama and debate groups.
“He impacted the lives of countless students in the classroom, on the stage, through speech and debate, and in numerous other ways. He was a beloved teacher, colleague and friend who will be greatly missed,” the post reads in part.
During his more than 30 years in education, Sheaff was well-known in the debate and speech field. Known for his booming voice and kind mentorship, he was a National Speech & Debate Association hall of fame member, five-diamond coach and national tournament emcee.
NDSA’s national tournament will be hosted in Iowa in 2024 and 2025, an endeavor that Sheaff was heavily involved in preparing for.
Sheaff is survived by his wife, Christy, and their six children.
Words fall short of expressing our grief for your loss, as we mourn with family and friends for this great loss. We are truly sorry to hear of the loss of this promising being. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers help comfort you. Please receive our heartfelt condolences.
Feel free to drop condolences messages and prayers for the family and friends of the deceased as it will go a very long way at this difficult time of theirs.
