Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Anthony James Linz, DO, MPH 66, residing in Sandusky, passed away Thursday evening, May 7, 2015 at Firelands Regional Medical Center after an extended illness.
Anthony was born on June 16, 1948 to Anthony "Bud" and Margaret (Ballah) Linz in Sandusky, Ohio.
He was a 1966 graduate of Sandusky High School. He attended Bowling Green State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971. Dr. Linz attended Des Moines University and received a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine in 1974. He completed a rotating internship and internal medicine residency at South Pointe of the Cleveland Clinic System; Brentwood Hospital from 1974 - 1978. His next step in medicine was a sub specialty fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine from 1978 - 1980 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1980 he returned to Sandusky to practice pulmonary medicine at the former Sandusky Memorial Hospital. He held many staff positions, including medical director of pulmonary diseases from 1980 - 1985. He was the ICU/CCU chairman from 1982 - 1983, and chairman of the department of medicine from 1982 - 1984. He was a member of the teaching faculty mentoring medical students, interns and residents in family practice from 1980 - 1985. Dr. Linz also did consulting and was on the courtesy staff of the former Good Samaritan Hospital.
Following the merger of Good Samaritan and Sandusky Memorial Hospital in 1985, Dr. Linz was active in his medical practice at Firelands Regional Medical Center. He held many staff positions; medical director of cardiopulmonary services, consultant in pulmonary disease, critical care and internal medicine, co-chairman of the ICU/CCU code blue committee, along with many other staff positions. He also continued his most favorite practice of mentoring medical students, interns, residents, and respiratory care students.
His love of pulmonary medicine led him to affiliation with Bowling Green State University, Firelands College. He became the medical director of the respiratory care program and enjoyed teaching students. This led Dr. Linz to Camp Super Kids, an asthma camp for children, which he directed for 13 years, with the help of many doctors and nurses who volunteered their time.
Dr. Linz experienced many medical challenges which led to his kidney transplant in 1999. After that he continued to teach and enjoy his family. Dr. Linz was able to attend and participate in both his children's weddings and enjoy the birth of his twin grandchildren. Dr. Linz decided to pursue a Masters of Public Health Degree from the Northwest Consortium for Public Health. He graduated with his MPH degree in 2006.
Dr. Linz's disability allowed him to help fellow citizens with disabilities. He became the chairman of the ADA (America Disabilities Act) Advisory Board for the City of Sandusky from 2001 - present. His love for the past four years has been writing a book for Respiratory Care Students, called Respiratory Disorders, The Essentials.
Dr. Linz truly enjoyed his life and his family. He is survived by his wife of 41 years Kathleen Ann (Kovach) whom he married August 18, 1973; his two children, son, Anthony(Tony) Scott(Kristy) Linz of Dayton, Ohio; and daughter, Sara Elizabeth Linz of Fairport Harbor, Ohio; and twin grandchildren, Anthony Jacob (AJ) Linz and Grace Elizabeth Linz.
Dr. Linz was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony "Bud" and Margaret Linz; grandparents, James and Martha Ballah and aunts and uncles.
Friends may call from 4-8 PM on Monday, May 11, 2015 at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave. Sandusky. Friends may also call on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 9 AM until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 428 Tiffin Ave., Sandusky. Burial will follow in Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron.
Memorial contributions in Dr. Anthony Linz's name may be made to the Bowling Green State University Foundation, BGSU-Firelands College, 1 University Drive, Huron, OH 44839, Firelands Regional Medical Center, 1111 Hayes Ave., Sandusky, Ohio 44870 or to North Central EMS, 12513 US HWY 250, Milan, Ohio 44846.
Online condolences can be made at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
