Individual Details

Death

MUNCIE--Dr. Robert E. Linson, vice president emeritus of University Relations at Ball State University, passed away peacefully May 22 at 6:45 p.m. in the loving company of is immediate family. He was 89 years old.Dr. Linson was a distinguished leader at Ball State University and in the Muncie community, receiving local, state, and national recognition for his exemplary accomplishments.Born and raised in Indianapolis, Dr. Linson graduated from Emmerick Manual Training High School. He received a bachelor's degree and a master of arts degree in education from Ball State and earned his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Denver.After spending three years in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, when he was with the 6th Bomb Group in the Western Pacific on Tinian Island, he began his career in public school administration as acting superintendent of Jonesboro Public Schools in 1948.Dr. Linson was recalled into service during the Korean Conflict in 1950. After his call of duty, he continued in public administration as principal of J.C. Knight Schools and Mississinewa Public Schools before becoming principal of Spiceland Public Schools in 1952.In 1955 he returned to Muncie when he was appointed director of Alumni Relations at Ball State by President John R. Emens. He also served as executive director of the Alumni Association and assistant vice president for Alumni and Development Programs, until he was named vice president of University Relations in 1980.He retired from the university in 1987. During his tenure, Dr. Linson also served as a professor of educational administration and supervision, working primarily with graduate students. Beginning as a student he served under the leadership of eight university presidents, starting with L.A. Pittenger in 1942.Following the legacy of his grandfather, Dr. William Karstedt, founder of Indiana Central College, now the University of Indianapolis. Dr. Linson was founder of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He served as past national chairman of the American Alumni Council, a forerunner of CASE. In 1984 CASE honored him with the Frank AShmore Award for distinguished service to the advancement of his profession.At Ball State Dr. Linson was instrumental in establishing Cardinal Varsity Club in 1959 and the Ball State Student Foundation in 1964. He was a leader in major fund-raising efforts for the university, beginning with the capital campaign to build the John R. Emens College-Community Auditorium. He also was on the national boards for the Wings for the Future and the Alumni Center Above and Beyond capital campaigns. His leadership brought national accolades to Ball State and the Alumni Association.In 1980, the Ball State Alumni Association recognized him with its highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award. He received a Benny Award for outstanding service to the university and alumni association in 1976. In 1987 he was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor bestowed by Indiana Governor Robert Orr. Also that year, the Ball State Alumni Association established the Robert E. Linson Scholarship Endowment to annually recognize a student for outstanding contributions to alumni programs. In 1994, he was inducted into the Ball State University Athletic Hall of Fame.Dr. Linson's unselfish service extended to involvement on the boards of various university and community organizations including the Ball State University Foundation, United Way, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the YMCA, WIPB, the Catalina Club, Planned Parenthood, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. He had a 23-year tenure with the Muncie/Delaware County Board of Zoning Appeals and the United Way's sub-committee for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.A member of the Muncie Rotary Club for more than 25 years, he also was a deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Muncie. He was past president of the Westwood Neightborhood Association. Dr. Linson was listed in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who of Professionals, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World, along with being listed in the International Directory of Distinguished Leadership, and Men of Achievement.Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Nancy Hughes Linson, native of Huntington; his son, Lawrence (wife-Ann) of Fort Wayne; and a daughter, LuAnn Coldwell (husband-Michael) of Kent, OH. Additional survivors include five grandchildren, Orion Nothnagel, Myriah Nothnagel Greiner, Adrienne Nothnagel, Zach Linson and Kelli Linson Ohms (husband-Pat); and two great-grandchildren, Neo and Hailey Greiner.He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Cynthia Linson Nothnagel.The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012 in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ronald Naylor officiating. Entombment will follow in Elm Ridge Mausoleum with Military Rites by Veterans of Delaware County. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, May 25, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. at the Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel, or one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Robert E. Linson Scholarship Fund, Account 458, c/o the Ball State University Foundation, P.O. Box 672, Muncie, IN 47308.  Family links:  Parents:  William Albert Linson (1884 - 1957)  Anna Charlotte Karstedt Linson (1888 - 1968)  Children:  Cynthia Linson Nothnagel (1953 - 2001)*  Siblings:  Violet Elizabeth Linson Richards (1908 - 2002)*  Ray Howard Linson (1913 - 1979)*  Don Albert Linson (1915 - 1994)*  Dean Taylor Linson (1917 - 2002)*  Kephart Leroy Linson (1919 - 1988)*  Robert Edward Linson (1922 - 2012) *Calculated relationship Burial:Elm Ridge Memorial ParkMuncieDelaware CountyIndiana, USAPlot: Mausoleum