Tim McMaster peacefully passed away at his home on September 7, 2026. He
was born in Midland, Michigan in June, 1948.
A lifelong world traveler and scholar, Tim had visited most of Europe, Asia, and
the Middle East. Nepal was closest to his heart, and he traveled there on a
regular basis, where he developed close friendships and business relationships.
Tim settled in Boulder, Colorado in the early 1970s. He was a student of
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and was a dedicated Buddhist practitioner.
Later in the 1970s, Tim was mentored by a Persian carpet master, who taught
him about the world of oriental carpets. He learned how to repair and clean
antique carpets, and started his own rug business. He spent many years as a
senior member of the American Society of Appraisers, specializing in oriental
carpets and textiles.
Tim had a great appreciation for, and knowledge of, Asian textiles. He had an
extensive collection of textiles and books on the subject.
He eventually moved to eastern Boulder County, near Lafayette, where he
proudly tended to his property and his “wall of trees.”
Tim will be remembered for being an avid reader and vigorous converser of
spiritual, political and societal topics; a runner and qi-gong practitioner;
appreciating sunsets, mountain views and all the beauty found in nature. And
especially for his collection of beautiful, naturally dyed wool sweaters, and his oft-
recommended “art bible”: The Unknown Craftsman by Soetsu Yanagi.
Survived by his spouse, Suzanne Engert; his brother Greg, sister-in-law Bonnie,
nieces Kelsey (Sam), Caitlin, Mallory, and great-nephew Owen; his sister Susan,
and niece Tara.
