I was sad to hear the news that Jeffry A. Timmons, the Franklin W. Olin Distinguished Professor in Entrepreneurship at Babson College, died unexpectedly on April 8, 2008, at his winter home in South Carolina. He was 66.
Timmons was one of the pioneers in the development of entrepreneurship education and research in America. He was internationally recognized as a leading authority for his research, innovative curriculum development, and teaching in entrepreneurship, new ventures, entrepreneurial finance and venture capital.
Inc. magazine called him “The Johnny Appleseed of Entrepreneurship Education” and his doctoral dissertation, “Entrepreneurial and Leadership Development in an Inner City Ghetto and a Rural Depressed Area (Harvard, 1971)” was the first use of the word “entrepreneurial” in a dissertation title. He created the first business plan competition at the college level in 1984 at Babson College.
In the early 1980s when I was a young professor trying to get an entrepreneurship program going, Jeff was always willing to offer advice and encouragement. I will always remember his kindness.
May he rest in peace.