Carnegie Hero Robert Ernest Linck died Aug. 1, 2024. He was 92. Linck was awarded the Carnegie Medal after a Jan. 26, 1992 rescue of a man from assault in Philadelphia.
The man was walking home from work at night when he was accosted by two men who took him at knifepoint to a parking area behind a row of townhouses. Linck, then 60 years old, was on his way home when he drove into the parking area and saw the assault. He approached the assailants in his car and flashed his lights and beeped his horn at them, but the assailants were not deterred. Linck left his car and approached the assailants on foot, shouting at them. One of the assailants turned on him and a scuffle ensued. He was stabbed repeatedly. Both assailants then fled. Linck managed to return to his car and drive himself and the man to the hospital. While the man was uninjured, Linck required emergency abdominal surgery and was hospitalized for nine days. He recovered.
Prior to the rescue, Linck received a degree in civil engineering from Lehigh University. He fulfilled his ROTC commitment by flying in the Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Linck returned to Philadelphia in 1965 and joined his family business. He settled in Society Hill with his young family. He served as president of the Philadelphia Fountain Society and Philadelphia Athenaeum, as well as a member of numerous other boards and ad-hoc committees until his passing.
Linck is survived by his wife of 65 years, Annette Linck; son, Robert; daughter, Vanessa; and five grandchildren.