Dr John Henry Linner

Linner, Dr. John Henry Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 31, 1918, son of Dr. Henry Peterson Linner and Amanda Anderson Linner, died November 8, 2013 at age 95. John is survived by wife, Evodia; and daughters, Kristin Linner (Pat McGee), Jennifer (James) Groth, Andrea Bruner, Victoria (John) Wilson, and Elizabeth (John) McClure; nine grandchildren, Jordan and wife Katelyn, Sylvia and Adrianna Groth, Henry and Michael Stark, Conrad and Marie Wilson and Isabel and Paul McClure; and two great-grandsons, Wyatt and Riggins Groth. John is preceded in death by infant son, John Peter; parents; sisters, Melba Kolstad and Carol Erb; and brother, Dr. Paul W. Linner. John graduated from Washburn High School, Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota Medical School (first in his class) followed by internship at the Harvard Internal Medicine service. He completed a surgical residency at the University of Minnesota Veterans Administration Hospital, 1949-53. He served as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy Amphibious force from 1943-46 receiving two battle stars for duty during the Normandy invasion and at Okinawa. John kept a diary during his service in the Navy and combining it with a summary of WWII he completed a book in 2000 entitled, "Normandy to Okinawa: A Navy Medical Officer's Diary and Overview of WWII. Dr. Linner was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In 1954, he together with Dr. Arnold Kremen, performed the first bariatric operation in the world and Dr. Linner authored a book entitled "Surgery for Morbid Obesity" published in 1984. He received the outstanding achievement award from the American Society for Bariatric Surgery in 2005. During his tenure he saw the American Bariatric Society grow from a fledgling status to a major medical organization. John was a member of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis Rotary Club, Skylight Club, American Swedish Institute, Ham n' Eggs Club, Interlachen Country Club and Gustavus Alumni Association. He was a member of the Rio Verde Country Club and Rio Verde Community Church in Arizona where he and Evodia had a winter home. His abiding love was for his wife and family and his surgical practice. He will be remembered by all who knew him well, especially his loving family, for his optimistic and compassionate nature. John's family is grateful to Jackie, Mary Jo, Sarah, Pam and the hospice staff of Methodist Hospital. John's hobbies were travel, reading, writing, golf, and friends. Memorials may be directed to Mount Olivet Lutheran Church or Gustavus Adolphus College at St. Peter, MN. Memorial service 11:00 AM Thursday, Nov. 14 at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave S., Mpls. Reception to follow. Private interment Lakewood Cemetery. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.