Wilmer Linkugel Obituary

Memorial services for Wilmer Albert Linkugel, 83, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow at Pioneer Cemetery. He died on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at his home. Wilmer was born on January 12, 1929 in Bremen, KS the son of Otto and Louise (Knabe) Linkugel. He attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church school thru eighth grade, graduated from Marysville High School in 1947, received his B.A. in 1953 and M.A. in 1954 from the University of Nebraska and his Ph.D. in 1960 from the University of Wisconsin. He taught for four years in a one-room country schoolhouse, two years from 1954-1956 at North Platte High School, in North Platte, NE, and then taught at the University of Kansas as an Speech & Communication Professor for 42 years from 1956 - 1999. He was a member of the Speech Communication Association and received two awards for excellence in teaching. A member of Central States Communication Association and was inaugural inductee to Central States Communication Association Hall of Fame and Kansas Speech Association and received the Outstanding College Speech Teacher Award. He was also a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and University Student Center and was President of the congregation and served as Elder many times. He was married to Helen Motyka on June 21, 1958 in Utica, NY. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two daughters, LeAnn Linkugel Ward, Lawrence, Kristin Linkugel, Rio Rancho, New Mexico; one brother Harold Linkugel, Bremen, KS. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. The family suggests memorials in his name to the KU Endowment Communication Studies Department and may be sent in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on May 11, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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Wil, was one of my favorite professors at KU. I had him for two memorable classes. He was a great role model for every teaching grad assistant. I always stopped by his office every morning before teaching my class. I still cherrish the conversations I had with him. In addition he was the creator of The SpeedRats and was our outstanding short stop. After games the team went to The Old Mission where we shared our love of the game and KU. My life as a teacher and as a person has been better because of him and I will be eternally grateful. Blessings to him and his family. I hope others will continue to contribute to the Wil Linkugel Fund in his memory.

Harry Munn

Student

May 5, 2021

Wil was a special mentor....from undergraduate through my Ph.D. He inspired, encouraged and supported me in so many special ways. I was blessed to have known him. Rest in Peace Wil.....

shirley j gilbert

Student

March 27, 2021

We are so sorry to hear that Uncle Wil passed!

Brad Green

May 20, 2012

The communication discipline has lost a first-rate scholar. KU comm studies students have lost a first-rate storyteller abut Anna Howard Shaw, FDR, Baseball legends, and more. And I have lost a generous and exemplary mentor, supporter, and friend.

Susan Huxman

May 14, 2012

Helen, we are so sorry about Will. He was such a great man and Bill will always have a soft spot in his heart for his favorite grade school teacher. May God grant you and the girls peace and comfort during the difficult days ahead. Rest in Peace, Will.

Bill & Linda Gerdes

May 14, 2012

Helen, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Wil. I spent many hours talking to him in his office in the Lindley Annex before going off to teach my classes. He found money to send grad students to the Speech Convention, he created the speedrats, he was a mentor and a friend and will never be forgotten. God bless him and the family.

Harry Munn, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Harry Munn

May 13, 2012

I'm sorry to hear about Wil. We had many good talks about Baseball, Communication,and Kansas history. He was a value to K.U. through the years.
Dave Matheny, Emporia State and Surfside Beach Texas

David Matheny

May 12, 2012

I am so sorry to hear about Wil, Helen. I remember how wonderful he was to me and my children. Those are happy memories. I will treasure those memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Helen.

Vicki Maykulsky

May 12, 2012

So sorry to hear of your loss Helen - know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers!
Donita Bouton - dental hygienist with Hay and Heinbach

May 11, 2012

I remember so much his concern for the students and his kindness.

Anne Haehl

May 11, 2012

So many of my best KU memories involve Dr. Linkugel. Our lives are all the richer for having been his students.

Claire Jerry

May 11, 2012

Dr. Linkugel touched the lives of so many -- his scholarship is revered by those in rhetoric and publc address; he was an outstanding teacher and mentor to hundreds of graduate students, and he was a wonderful human being. I learned so much from him --about public address, about communication, about baseball, and about life. Rest in peace.

Gina Lane

May 11, 2012

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