Additional Coverage:
A New York father and daughter were found deceased this week on Maine’s Mount Katahdin after setting out on a hike. Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter, Esther, 28, were discovered roughly 1,000 feet apart near the Tablelands area.
The pair were reported missing Sunday after embarking on a hike from Abol Campground. Their vehicle was found in a day-use parking lot, prompting an extensive search.
The Keiderlings, who resided in Ulster Park, New York, were in Maine on a work trip for Rifton Equipment, a medical supply company where they both were employed. They decided to extend their stay for a weekend hike up Mount Katahdin.
Tim Keiderling is remembered by his brother, Joe, as a unique individual who captivated young minds as an elementary school teacher with his imaginative stories. A devoted family man with six children and two grandchildren, Tim was also a passionate fruit grower, beekeeper, and active member of the Bruderhof Communities, a Christian community. He was known for his engaging storytelling and lively conversations.
Esther, described by her uncle as quiet and deeply sensitive, enjoyed literature and poetry, particularly the works of Gerard Manley Hopkins and Edna St. Vincent Millay. She maintained a blog and expressed some apprehension about the challenging Abol Trail in a recent online post.
Authorities are working to determine the cause of death and why the bodies were found separated. While no criminal activity is suspected, the investigation remains ongoing. The medical examiner’s office will make the final determination on the cause of death.