Timothy Mosolf

Timothy George Mosolf, 70, of Dillon, Montana, died May 30, 2017. Tim was born Jan. 25, 1947 in Carmel, CA, to George and Bess Mosolf. He graduated from Carmel High School, where he played football. He later studied at Monterey Peninsula College. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1972, based out of Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, and finally in Japan. He visited Montana often as a child, and as a young adult he made Dillon his home where he began his guiding career. He married Delores Wallace in 1980 and they had two children together, Jesse and Christina Mosolf. Although Tim was a local treasure and a celebrated fishing guide, he was most proud of being a loving father to his two children who will never forget all he did for them. He was also beloved and valued by his extended family, always keeping everyone informed on what others in the family were doing. Tim’s easy-going personality and large beard earned him multiple nicknames and many knew him only as Mo, Mr. Mo, Razzmo, and Ho-Ho. Mo was part of an early group of fishing guides that helped make the "Beaverditch" a famed fishery and vital economic asset to the region. He was a long-time independently contracted fishing guide in southwest Montana, contributing his knowledge and love of fly fishing to several generations of anglers and guides on his beloved Beaverhead River. Mo was proud to count President Jimmy Carter, John Denver and Ted Turner among the hundreds of diverse types of "dudes" he took fishing, and many of his clients inevitably became longtime friends. His clients often seemed to value his larger-than-life personality and jovial nature more than his technical fishing skills. Mo’s fishing exploits were documented in various publications including the book “Castwork”, and he was featured prominently in a Simms advertising campaign. In addition to guiding, Mo worked as a conservation technician for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks from 1982 to 2007. He often joked it was necessary to shock the fish in the river so he knew where to take the “dudes” in the summer. Tim also fished commercially in Alaska early in his career to “pay the bills”. Mo spoke a little Japanese and Spanish, played the banjo, whispered trout, enjoyed pranks, golf, photography, writing letters, and mowing the “lawn”, but he most treasured spending time with his kids, especially on the river. He is survived by his son, Jesse Mosolf, Ph.D. and daughter-in-law Kristina Okonski, Ph.D. of Butte, MT; daughter, Christina Mosolf and grandson, Anthony, of Salt Lake City, UT; brother, Mike Mosolf and Diane of Dillon, MT; sister, Susie Sory of Carmel Valley, CA; brother Terry Mosolf of Aptos, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. Tim is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Pat Mosolf-Stevens and her husband Jack Stevens; and brother-in-law Melvin Sory. The family appreciates the kind words from all, and remembering that "You go slow, you go some Mo" they invite friends to gather with them in support and to share stories of times with Tim at a riverside memorial at Barrett’s Station Park, July 1, 2017 starting at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to help with a riverside memorial can be securely brought or mailed to: The Bank of Commerce 110 South Idaho St. Dillon, MT 59725 for the Memorial Fund for Tim Mosolf