Ross community mourns passing of Bill Linkenheimer, founding member of Fire Police unit

Before Ross Township had a special unit to control traffic and assist at fires and other emergencies, police and firefighters often had to waste valuable time preventing the scene from turning into a chaotic tangle.

To address the problem, a group of volunteers came together to form the Ross Fire Police in 1978.

“It’s incredibly helpful to have them at the scene to free up officers to do their regular duties,” said Ross police Chief Joe Ley, who has been with the department for more than 30 years. “We’re lucky to have a dedicated group of men and women willing to go out at all hours of the day and night to help.”

William F. Linkenheimer Jr., the last surviving founding member and the first elected president of the Ross Fire Police, died Dec. 20, 2020, from covid-19-related lung disease. He was 87.

“Bill was a sharp-witted, fun guy to be around. A very classy individual,” Ley said. “He was ready to help out with whatever was asked of him and always did a great job. He will be greatly missed.”

Linkenheimer also was an active member of the Berkley Hills Volunteer Fire Co., where he served for more than 50 years, including multiple terms as president and other administrative roles.

Members of the fire police said Linkenheimer’s dedication to the community “was second to none.”

“Bill selflessly served his community, donating countless hours building the Ross Township Fire Police into what it is today,” his colleagues wrote in a tribute posted on social media. “We have not only lost a great leader but a great friend….May you rest in peace. We will take over from here and do our best to make you proud.”

In March 2019, Ross commissioners honored Linkenheimer for his 50 years of service during a presentation at its board meeting.

“My dad has always been a community-minded person,” said his son, Bill Linkenheimer III. “And once he became part of something, he would really participate to the fullest and work to make things better. He was like that with everything he did. I think it was part of his DNA.”

Linkenheimer was a native of Pittsburgh’s North Side and attended Most Holy Name Catholic School and North Catholic High. He is a member of the high school’s Hall of Fame and served on its committee. He also was a past president of the North Catholic Alumni Association.

After graduation, Linkenheimer attended Duff’s Business School and worked for 66 years in the box industry: 28 years with Kress Box/St. Regis Paper and 38 years with Bell Containers.

Ley said Linkenheimer’s dedication to the things he believed were important was demonstrated by the fact that he continued working at his job until retiring in September 2019 at age 86.

While family and community were Mr. Linkenheimer’s top priority, he always found time to pursue family fun.

“My dad loved amusement parks and especially roller-coasters,” Bill Linkenheimer said. “When I was growing up, we’d go to West View Park and Kennywood all the time and traveled to Disney to ride the coasters there.”

The visit to the Disney park proved to be a turning point for Linkenheimer and his son’s fascination with the thrill ride.

“We found out about an organization called American Coaster Enthusiasts — but this was before the internet — and couldn’t find out how to join,” Bill Linkenheimer said. “But a year later, we read in the newspaper that the group was having its third anniversary convention at Kennywood.”

Bill Linkenheimer said his father did some detective work to get a telephone number for one of the organization’s representatives staying at a local hotel.

“The next day we were at Kennywood at 8 a.m. getting our membership cards written out by hand,” said Bill Linkenheimer, who went on to become a regional representative for the organization.

Bill Linkenheimer said even though his mother — who met his dad at West View Park — doesn’t ride coasters, she loved traveling the country with her husband to meet up at amusement parks with other coaster enthusiasts.

“Over the years, they made so many great friends around the country and the world,” Bill Linkenheimer said. “Meeting up with them a few times a year became sort of like visiting with family.”

In addition to his son, Linkenheimer is survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Elaine Plavan, and many relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 28 at St. Nicholas Church in Millvale.

A full obituary including a video tribute to Linkenheimer can be viewed online.