Earl H. Linn, 83

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. - Earl H. Linn, of North Palm Beach and Henlopen Acres, Del., died peacefully after a lengthy battle with cancer at his Henlopen Acres residence on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. He was 83.

Mr. Linn was born Sept. 20, 1924, in Pittsburgh, son of the late Andrew and Ruth (Dils) Linn.

He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949 following service in the U.S. Army 45th Infantry Division during World War II, where he saw service in Africa, Italy, France and Germany.

Mr. Linn was the personal geologist and engineer for Michael L. Benedum, as well as chief geologist and engineer for Benedum Trees Oil Co.

Additionally, Mr. Linn was formerly a director of Penn-Ohio Gas Co., Sunflower Royalty and Hiawatha Oil and Gas Co., from 1949 to 1960.

In the 1960s, Mr. Linn formed Merex Inc., Meridian Exploration Corp. and Venango Petroleum Co.

He authored many oil and gas articles regarding the Appalachian Basin and was considered a foremost geologist in this area.

Mr. Linn was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Certified Petroleum Geologists, Registered Geologists of Pennsylvania, Registered Certified Professional Geologists of the American Petroleum Institute, Independent Oil and Gas Producers Association, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

A member of The Palm Beach Yacht Club, Mr. Linn was an avid sailor. He competed in numerous open-water sailing races, and enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake Bay during the summers.

Mr. Linn spent many happy hours playing golf and was a member of the Rehoboth Beach Country Club.

He served on the Henlopen Acres Planning Commission.

Mr. Linn will be very much missed by his devoted wife of 58 years, Patricia (Gardill) Linn; a daughter, Wendy Jacobs and husband Jeffrey of Orinda, Calif.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael Linn and wife Carol of Houston, Texas, and Eric Linn and wife Lynn of Pittsburgh, Pa.; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Andrew Linn of Vero Beach.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated on 11 a.m. Saturday in the Parish Hall at St. Edmond's Catholic Church, King Charles and Laurel streets, Rehoboth Beach, with Father Raymond Forrester presiding.

Interment will be private in Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations made in Earl's memory to the Tunnell Cancer Center, c/o Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.