Our Story
Norman Christian (Chris) Linn, my father, was my mentor, best friend, and all around hero. I often say to myself that if I could ever be half the man he was, I would be grateful and consider myself a success!
My father was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey to two loving parents, Norm and Jan. He studied hard in school and took flying lessons, financed by his lawn mowing business. He also met his high school sweetheart Judy, who would go on to be his wife for 50 years. He went to college at the University of Arizona where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Chris and Judy settled in Denver, Colorado where both my brother David and I were born. It was in my early years in Colorado when I had my fondest memories involving my dad’s love of the great outdoors and the time spent together riding our two horses, Red and Cocoa. During our childhood, my dad made it a priority to show his family the beauty of the outdoors, with horseback riding, fishing, and hiking trips through the years. He was a rodeo fanatic and would always be glued to the TV broadcast of the National Finals Rodeo!
My dad was a doting husband and an amazingly loving father, always making sure his family knew that they were his top priority. He did anything necessary to ensure we were healthy and successful. We all had our share of challenges over the years, but none as tragic as the news we received in April of 2014. My dad had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This was an ultimate shock to the family, as he was a healthy eater, didn’t smoke or drink, exercised regularly, was a Christian man of high moral character, but most of all an amazing dude! He was only 71.
I got my love for aviation from my Dad who studied Aerospace Engineering.
Our family jumped into action
As the shock wore off, our family jumped into action. My dad had proudly vocalized that he was going to fight this, so we put a plan together that would give us the best chance of victory. We decided on MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston, Texas, as it is world renowned.
For 13 months, my dad endured endless trips to and from Houston, several different chemotherapy treatments, radiation, an incredibly invasive surgery, and ultimately an experimental immunotherapy treatment. The majority of that time he was quite sick, but maintained his quick wit, loving smile, and his unwavering will to beat his illness. He often said that if his fight helps to develop a cure for cancer, then it’s all worth it!
In March of 2015, thanks to one of his favorite nurses, he was able to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for the first and only time. As he could barely walk by now, he was taken into the rodeo in his wheelchair and spent one of the happiest times of his life with his wife beside him.
Not long after, he and my mom returned home to Knoxville, Tennessee to get him settled in Hospice, as the disease had spread throughout his body and treatment was no longer effective. When the end was near, I asked my father if there was anything left on his bucket list. (Dad – are you sure I can’t take you skydiving!?) That was a resounding “no”. He proceeded to tell me how good life had been to him (after being sick for the better part of a year), and that all he wanted to do was spend his remaining days with his family. Then, he poignantly said: “There is one thing you could do after I’m gone. If you could start a foundation that would allow children with cancer to attend the rodeo, that would be amazing.” So….here we are! It’s been a long journey, but we’re so excited!
— ROB LINN
At the Houston Rodeo during cancer treatment.
Rob and Chris
