DeVon Wayne Linn

Published 9:53 am Friday, May 19, 2023

DeVon Wayne Linn

October 9, 1929 – March 31, 2023

DeVon Wayne Linn, 93 years, passed away Friday, March 31, 2023 in Ashland, OR. He was born Oct 9, 1929 in Estherville, Iowa to parents Ward and Mary Linn. They moved to Fairmont, MN where he graduated high school in 1947. He was in the US Army Signal Corps from 1947 to 1949, then attended Mankato State Teacher’s College where he majored in Biology and Chemistry. It was during college that he met Fae Anderson of East Chain MN, his wife of 70 years. They raised three children; Jay Linn (MI), Doug Linn (WY) and Jennifer (Linn) White (WA). They have 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Wayne received a Master’s degree from Oregon State University and his PhD from Utah State. He taught at Southern Oregon University from 1964 to 1994, including serving as Biology Dept Chair from 1969 to 1973. He retired as the Coordinator of M.S degree, Environmental Education. Teaching allowed Wayne to hold summer jobs at Rocky Mountain National Park as a wildlife biologist, Grand Teton National Park as a fisheries biologist and at Crater Lake National Park as a Naturalist. Sabbatical leaves afforded opportunities to work in Malawi, Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer (1973-1975) and at the Univ of Swaziland, Africa as a professor of Biology (1983-1985). From his time in Malawi, he was honored and humbled to have an aquarium fish from Lake Malawi named after him – Nimbochromis linni.His love of travel took he and Fae all over the world, visiting 30 countries and RV’ing all over the US – making it to 47 states. He celebrated his 80th birthday by zip lining in Costa Rica. They loved all outdoor activities including camping, hiking, fishing, biking and swimming, which they shared with their children and grandchildren. Wayne was always active in any church they belonged too and was a member of The Gideons International for 50 years, both in the USA and Africa. For those wishing to provide a memorial contribution, the family suggests The Gideons International.