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closeSumner’s sweeper, Tim Hyland, dies at 48
Beloved community volunteer and city worker will be remembered by community as a generous man, caring friend
Roxanne Cooke
Tim Hyland will no longer be sweeping Sumner’s streets, but he’ll forever be known as “the sweeper.”
He was best known for spending the majority of his 32-year career as the driver of the city’s street sweeper, which was engraved “In Loving Memory Tim Hyland” and led his funeral procession on Monday.
Hyland passed away Jan. 28 from meningitis. He was 48.
“He was a volunteer at so many of the downtown events that his passing is leaving everyone shocked,” said Sumner Downtown Association Executive Director Shelly Schlumpf. “I am just sad to my bones.”
“Sumner’s sweeper” began working for the city’s cemetery in 1975, then he moved to the Public Works Department. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1978.
Hyland’s father, Ron, is a former police chief for Sumner and his mother, Joanne, worked for a local pharmacy for a number of years.
In addition to his city work, Hyland was known throughout town as a devoted and generous volunteer and a hard worker.
“Tim was a remarkable man,” said Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow, who lived next door to Hyland 10 years ago. “Tim’s passing leaves a very big hole in this community. It’s really quite a loss to our city and our community.”
Hyland’s supervisor in Public Works, Pat Clerget, said Hyland took care of Sumner as if it were his own house. Clerget worked with him for 18 years.
“He was always the first man here,” said Clerget, Public Works superintendent. “He just knew what needed to be done, and he just took care of it. That’s just what he did.”
Last week was difficult for all of his staff, Clerget continued.
“He will be missed,” he said. “As his supervisor, he was more of a friend than anything else. You won’t be able to replace him.”
Tony Utanis, an operator in Public Works, spent almost 32 years working alongside Hyland. He referred to Hyland as “an exceptional guy” and remarked on his willingness to help anytime, anywhere.
“He wasn’t just my coworker — he was my friend,” Utanis said. “From the day that I started working here, we did a lot together. He loved, loved, loved the city of Sumner. He touched a lot of lives in this town. Everybody knew Timmy.”
Utanis said Hyland was like a family member. His death will leave a hole in his life, he added.
“I feel fortunate that I got to know him as long as I have,” Utanis said. “He’ll always have a place in my heart. You can’t say enough about him.”
City Administrator John Doan noted that there are a handful of important people who work quietly in the background to make things happen – and Hyland was one of them.
“What a great example of how somebody can make a difference,” Doan said.
Though Hyland had a hearing impairment, he didn’t let it interfere with his work, his volunteering or his daily life, Schlumpf said. He recently received a cochlear implant and told her that everything was so loud now that he could hear better.
“Tim didn’t use his hearing impairment as an excuse for anything,” she said. “It just didn’t come up.”
Hyland would often visit her late at night at the Sumner Downtown Association office, giving her a hard time for working so late, Schlumpf said. On a recent visit, he dragged her out of the office to take a look at his newest sweeper, joking that he had worn the other three out.
The Sumner Downtown Association plans to recognize Hyland’s contributions to Sumner with an annual Tim Hyland Volunteer Excellence Award. The association will accept nominations and probably present the award at its annual Christmas banquet.
The association has also opened and started the Tim Hyland Memorial Fund at Heritage Bank and has already received four or five donations, Schlumpf said. The goal is to raise approximately $5,000 for a downtown project memorializing Hyland. Ideas of a bronze broom and plaque are being considered.
Hyland’s funeral took place this past Monday and was followed by a processional to the Sumner Cemetery and a reception at the Puyallup Elks Club. Almost 1,000 people attended and city workers in their reflective orange vests took up two full rows inside Calvary Community Church, Schlumpf said.
Enslow declared that city flags be flown at half-staff until the funeral service on Monday.
Schlumpf pondered briefly if the streets will be as clean without Hyland around.
“He was just fanatical about it,” she said.
THE TIM HYLAND MEMORIAL FUND
The Sumner Downtown Association has opened the Tim Hyland Memorial Fund to raise money for a downtown memorial for Tim Hyland, former Sumner street sweeper, city worker and volunteer. To donate, call Heritage Bank at 253-671-0820 or the Sumner Downtown Association at 253-720-9846.