Meet the Author – Timothy Swiss
In his works, Timothy Swiss creates stories that resonate with readers by encouraging them to view the world through the prism of bravery, compassion, and religion. He can give life to characters through using his prowess of mixing warm-hearted stories and encapsulating moral tales that are a treat to both the mind and the imagination. Jimbo from Joggerville was the result of Timothy wanting to spread a message concept to everyone that real winning is not finishing first, but running your best with heart.
Timothy Swiss grew up in Oklahoma and Texas, with one year spent in Portland, Oregon where he attended seventh grade. His real name is Timothy R. Oesch, M.D. After reaching college age, he also lived in South Carolina, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Tennessee. His father was a preacher and college professor; and his mother was a teacher, including teaching piano. The author taught piano lessons while in high school and served as a summer lifeguard while attending college. In college, he acquired a degree with a double major in chemistry and biology, graduating summa cum laude as the athletic letterman with the highest GPA. His activities while in college included running on the track team, taking piano lessons and playing the piano in the college’s honor recital, singing in the college’s chapel choir, and writing both poetry and prose. The college where he attended is now Houston Christian University. He was also active in church.
The author began writing stories at a young age and served as a gospel magician during his teenage years, entertaining children with magic tricks while narrating imaginative parables that he composed for the purpose of sharing Biblical truth. After acquiring a license to practice medicine, he was commissioned as a missionary to Nalerigu, Ghana, West African. Political turmoil existed during that period in Ghana, and his VISA to enter that country was not approved. He then returned to school for advanced communications training and the study of New Testament Greek. While attending Gulf Coast Bible College in Houston, Texas, he established a solo medical practice and ended up becoming the pioneer researcher in illnesses caused by airborne cyanide, a ubiquitous and worldwide air pollutant. Several of the books he has written address this air pollutant, including the illnesses it causes and how to treat such illnesses.
Music and athletics have been a major part of the author’s life. While working as a physician in Dripping Springs, Texas, he served as the choir director where he attended church and composed original music, including the prose that accompanied the tunes. During this time, he also wrote poems that were published in the local newspaper. He continued competing in track after graduating from college, participating as a member of a Houston track club known as the Terlingua Rabbits. In 1976, he competed in a pre-Olympic trial at Butler Stadium in Houston, Texas, placing 3rd in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.2 seconds. His coaching experience includes coaching both girls and boys in track and soccer, and he served as the head coach for a boys’ soccer team at a public middle school in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was also active with coaching in the AYSO program. For years, he enjoyed rollerblading at a local skating rink; and at age 71, he runs on a rebounder, works out on a Bowflex home gym, and stretches.
The author chose his pen name, Timothy Swiss, while attending high school. He has always savored creative adventure and romance, and he appreciates protagonists who serve as admirable and decent role models. Some of his favorite authors are C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Jane Austen. His writings were featured in his high school and college annual magazines, and he wrote books for years before any were published. He greatly enjoys listening to music and audiobooks, and several of his novels have audiobook productions.