ROGER MARVIN LINK

1921 - 2016

Roger Marvin Link, 95 passed away at his home in Santa Rosa, California on December 9, 2016. His caregiver and friend, Kat Anderson, was by his side.

Roger was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 11, 1921. He had an illustrious military career in the US Army Air Force beginning in 1942 until the end of World War II. As a tail-gunner in a B-17, he flew 34 missions and was shot down twice, once over the English Channel and again over France. He took tough to a new level. He trained to become a pilot in a P-51 Mustang, but once his training was completed, the Pacific Theater had ended. Roger was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during WWII. He then studied at Pasadena City College to become a Forestry Engineer and then furthered his studies at the University of California Berkeley before moving to Mammoth Lakes, California in 1966.
Roger started work at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area on September 16, 1966 where he worked until his retirement on June 1, 1990. His most notable role at Mammoth was as "gondola-meister" beginning with the opening of the lower gondola in 1966. The upper gondola was completed and opened in 1967. Roger operated the gondola for 24 years while his wife Elodie worked winters in ski school. Mammoth skiers have fond memories of Roger as the gruff gondola operator with a heart of gold. He was funny, kind and once you were his friend, you were a friend for life.

Roger was preceded in death by his four siblings, his parents, Leroy and Ione Link of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter, Barni Linde. He is survived by daughter, Wendy Runley of Bishop, California and grandchildren, Joshua and Ceina Runley; son, John Link of Bullhead City, Arizona; grandchildren, Justin and Jennifer Burleson Link; Great grandchildren, Colten and Chase Burleson of Eastvale, California, and Riley, Liam and Henry Link of Cypress, California; step-daughter, Vicki Brady of El Segundo, California; grandchildren; Audrey Figueiredo of Carlsbad, California and great grandchildren, Zarin and Sloan Figueiredo, and Riley Brady of Manhattan Beach, California; and grandchildren Renee Linde of Sausalito, California and Great grandchild, Robbie Sands of Boulder, Colorado; Mike Linde of Redway, California; Duff Linde of Santa Barbara, California; Liz Linde of Sebastapol, California and Great grandchildren, Jordi Hays of Santa Barbara and Oliver Hays of Sebastapol, California.

Friends and family will celebrate Roger's life in the spring at Mammoth Lakes, California.