Donald W. Linck

Donald W. Linck
Donald W. Linck, M.D., 96, of Hamilton, Montana passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Discovery Care Centre. He was born September 28, 1916 in Gold Road, Arizona, the son of L.E. "Jack" Linck and Lucille (Rideau) Linck.

As a child Don lived in Oatman, Arizona; Eureka, Colorado; Altadena, California; and Fairbanks, Alaska; his father was an accountant for U.S. Smelting, Mining and Refining Co., which required him to move frequently. On September 6, 1937 he married his sweetheart Sylvia Schmidt, daughter of William and Wilhelmina Schmidt of Valdez and Fairbanks, Alaska. Don graduated in Chemistry from the University of Alaska. With Dr. Aubrey Carter's recommendation, Don was accepted and excelled at the University of Virginia's School of Medicine and later completed his residency in Radiology. His education was interrupted by World War II, where he had field hospital experience during the Battle of the Bulge.

After returning from the war, he practiced briefly in Walla Walla, Washington and later settled with his family in California in 1948. He worked on the cutting edge of radiology in San Mateo, California. He spent free time with his family and friends doing what he liked best-playing cards, swimming, watching football, traveling, dining, and hunting.

After retiring in 1979, Don helped build his home in Gold Beach, Oregon where he and his wife together enjoyed sharing their fresh garden produce (especially Don's trademark garlic) with family and friends until Sylvia's death in 1997. In 2006 Don moved to Elko, Nevada to live with his daughter Susie (and Mark) Sanders, where he enjoyed gardening and playing cards with his friends at the Senior Center. In 2011 Don moved to Hamilton, Montana to live with his daughter Sandy (and Rod) Herrick where he continued to astound folks with his pool and card-playing prowess. While at the Discovery Centre in Hamilton, Don was known for being a card-playing gentleman with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed his outings for ice cream. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends and relatives who will remember him as a warm, caring and sensitive person, who was always there when anyone needed him.

Don is preceded in death by his wife Sylvia, his brother Lee Linck and his sister Shirley Carlson. He is survived by his older sister Helen Atkinson, 98, of Wasilla, Alaska and by his four children: Don Linck II (spouse Linda and children Leslie, LeeAnn, and Don III) of Lafayette, CA; Sandy (spouse Rod Herrick and children Heath and Corey) of Hamilton, MT; Susie (spouse Mark Sanders and children Jeanette, Patrick, and David) of Elko, NV; and Judy (spouse Jim and daughter Willow) of Alta, CA; and six great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone at Discovery Care Centre for their love and care. There will be a time to share in a celebration of Don's life any time from 11:00 to 12:30 at Discovery Care Centre Conference Room Friday, April 19. There will be a family memorial service in Gold Beach, Oregon at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. You may share memories of Don or send condolences to the family at the Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel website www.dalyleachchapel.com.