In Memoriam: Larry Linkin

	Larry Linkin. Photo: NAMM

Larry R. "Link" Linkin, former president and CEO of NAMM, passed away on August 26 at his home at Westminster Village in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 87.

Linkin was born May 29, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa, where he began his passion for the clarinet at the age of seven. At Burlington High School, music teacher Maurice Wright set him on his path toward a love of music. As a young student, Linkin stood at the foot of the stage at the Memorial Auditorium, soaking up the Big Bands passing through town, and later played many evenings in Crapo Park with the Burlington Municipal Band. He considered it a true honor to return "home" as a soloist with the Southeast Iowa Symphony.

Linkin's musical talents were so well known that University of Iowa's Hall of Fame football coach, Forest Evashevski, awarded him a football scholarship to enhance the Rose Bowl-bound Hawkeye's football squad with a slick marching band. His talents continued after college, as the United States Air Force recruited him for membership in the NORAD international band, which made dozens of recordings for Capitol Records and performed three concerts at Carnegie Hall.

Linkin met his wife, Peggy, in the Concert Band at the University of Iowa, and together they raised a daughter and a son, making homes over the years in Chicago; Escondido, California; and the Phoenix area.

For more than 30 years, he devoted himself to the global promotion of music education. His involvement with NAMM began in 1970 as director of planning and development; he was promoted to staff vice president before leaving in 1977 to serve as president of Slingerland/Deagan and later vice president of C.G. Conn Ltd. Link rejoined NAMM in 1980 as president and CEO and led it until his 2001 retirement, growing the organization from a small, grassroots operation into a global association of more than 7,700 members in over 100 countries. Along the way, he earned an honorary doctor of music from Berklee College of Music and an honorary doctor of music education from Duquesne University. He served as a commencement speaker at both ceremonies, and in 1999, he was listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who Worldwide and the Global Registry of Business Leaders.

An accomplished clarinetist, Linkin soloed in concert halls around the world, including New York's Carnegie Hall, later traveling the globe as a featured performer aboard Holland America Cruise Lines and appearing in Las Vegas as part of the variety show Tap, Swing and Laugh alongside Arthur Duncan and Paul Lennon. He performed across the US and Canada, sharing his gift for music until the very end of his life.

Linkin was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Peggy Sue (Jones) Linkin, and by his parents, Ross and Nell (Timmerman) Linkin. He is survived by his partner, Barbara Sullivan; his daughter, Lisa Linkin, and Lisa's boyfriend Ron LeMieux; his son, Brent Linkin, and Brent's fiancee, Margie Maka; and his three beloved grandchildren, Annika, Jake, and Camilla.

Services:
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Memorial Service
11:30am - 12:30pm
Valley Presbyterian Church
6947 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

A Celebration of Life Luncheon
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Westminster Village
12000 N. 90th St., Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

In memory of Larry Linkin, donations may be made to the following organizations:

The NAMM Foundation
(Works to expand access to music learning around the world)
Online donation link:
https://donate.nammfoundation.org/give/414386#!/donation/checkout?eg=tr...;

Checks can be mailed to:
The NAMM Foundation
5790 Armada Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008

Westminster Village Jazz Series Fund
(Linkin was one of the founding organizers of this monthly performance at Westminster Village)
Online donation link: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E347638&id=16 &nb...;(Select In Memory of, choose Jazz Fund in the drop-down, and list Larry 'Link' Linkin as Tribute name)

Checks can be mailed to:
Westminster Village
12000 N. 90th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Attn: Accounting / Jazz Fund in memory of Larry 'Link' Linkin