Dr. Raymond Neal Linville

Dr. Raymond Neal Linville, 73 of Clearwater, FL left this world on June 2, 2024. He was born to the late Gentry Alan Linville and Shelia Ivy Linville (née Heyburn) on Friday May 4, 1951 in Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Linville is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Beth Ann Linville (née Miller); his wondrous and adored daughter, Mary Caitlin Stacey BSN, RN (Joe) of Sanford, NC; his son and role model, Major Dax Alexander Linville (Katie) of Chantilly, VA; his outstanding grandchildren, Connor Adam Linville and Sydney Camden Linville (both also of Chantilly, VA); and Caroline Brooke Stacey and Lydia Marie Stacey (of Sanford, NC); and his “Bro,” Richard Allen Linville and his devoted wife Irena Virginia Linville (née Paterson) of Ponte Vedra, FL, as well as other cherished relatives, friends, and in-laws.

A North Carolina native, Dr. Linville grew up on a dirt road within a small, Forsyth County area known as Oak Summit. His formative years were spent exploring nearby wooded areas, creeks, and pastures that instilled in him a love for the outdoors. Like his brother, he excelled in athletics with track being his favorite sport. For a time, he held several records in the 440-yard dash. And as a youth, he also developed a keen interest in science; often “stinking up the house” with his chemistry sets.

Dr. Linville graduated from Winston-Salem’s North Forsyth High School in 1969. He earned his B.A. and M.S. degrees from East Carolina University where he was initiated into the Gamma Eta Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, for which he served as Pledge Master and Secretary. Later, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia). In 1982, he earned a Ph.D. from The University of Iowa, and subsequently worked as an NIH Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, also at Iowa. Dr. Linville was then a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and Radford University (RU). In those tenured appointments, he also served as a Department Chair, School Director, Assistant Dean for Research, Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Associate Dean for Health and Human Services, and Academic Dean for Health and Human and Services. During his 34-year academic career, Dr. Linville was recognized for his innovative research and broad-based teaching acumen. His students described him as possessing an “intimidating and brilliant mind,” but “always fair and extremely supportive.” His colleagues knew him as a “thoughtful scholar and visionary leader.” Former President Penelope Ward Kyle called him, “the mastermind behind RU’s advancement into healthcare.” He retired as Professor Emeritus in 2016, and was hailed by his Provost and mentor (Dr. Joe Scartelli) as a “Legendary Dean.”

Dr. Linville, a devote Christian, was confirmed and baptized at Oak Summit Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, and was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church (Lubbock, TX), Blacksburg Presbyterian Church Blacksburg, Virginia) and Northwood Presbyterian Church (Clearwater, Florida). He was an ordained Elder and Chair of the Finance, Stewardship, and Property Committee. He also served as a Patient and Family Support Volunteer at the North Pinellas Suncoast Empath Hospice Center. He enjoyed kayaking, reading, cooking, writing, photography, and driving his Honda S2000, which he fondly named “Hattori Hanzō,” and later his all-time favorite car, a Honda Civic Type R affectionally called “Blue,” which was the same name given to him as a toddler because of the blue blanket he treasured.

Raymond was smitten by his wife. He adored her in every way, and only she knew him as a truly gentle soul. As a parent, he was an aloof taskmaster who encouraged his children to read constantly and to work independently as character-building traits. He was slow to praise and believed strongly that “just showing up” didn’t entitle any special recognitions. At work, he loved to talk about his children and adorned his offices with wall-to-wall pictures of them. His students often teased him about Caitlin because he talked about her so much that they practically knew her when she eventually enrolled as a nursing student on the same campus.

His close friends knew him for a keen wit and youthful mischief. Raymond was also pathologically stubborn, and if you asked for his opinion it was offered unadorned. To see him at home, he would have a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other; a Buck 110 in his pocket; an empty wallet; wrinkled pants and worn-out shoes; and a faraway presence that surrounded him. He was always thinking about something, someone, or somehow.

Raymond longed to look upon the face of his Lord Jesus Christ and to kneel before Him in judgement, for he knew in Him is true perfection, inseparable love, and life everlasting. Raymond has left us, reunited with Gigi (his loyal canine companion), and waits patiently for his beautiful wife Beth – his one love, “soul mate” and “star jar” to join him.

The family a heartfelt thanks to Drs. Shah and Griffin and the treatment staff at Florida Cancer Centers, the entire ICU staff at Mease Countryside Hospital, and of course, Suncoast Palliative Care and Suncoast Hospice Care Center (North). In accordance with Raymond’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral services. His ashes will be scattered appropriately at cherished sites. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the General Scholarship Fund at Radford University (https://connect.radford.edu/give).