Linthicum remembered for having ‘zest for life’

KR grad, Wabash sophomore died Monday.

Josh Linthicum of Kenton Ridge competes in the shot put at the Southeastern Track and Field Invitational Saturday, April 26, 2008. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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KR graduate, Wabash sophomore Linthicum dies

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 11:21 PM Monday, January 4, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Chad Linthicum posted the news of his brother Josh’s death on Facebook at noon Monday, Jan. 4. Dozens of tributes rolled in throughout the afternoon. By 6 p.m., almost 200 people — from Kenton Ridge High School, Wabash College and all over — had joined a Facebook group paying tribute to Josh.

Josh Linthicum, a 2008 Kenton Ridge graduate and sophomore offensive lineman at Wabash College, died Monday morning. He suffered heart failure during surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip at the Summit Surgical Center in Cincinnati. He would have turned 20 on Jan. 28.

The online tributes were just one measure of the man.

“Josh was a big, lovable kid who understood what being a teammate was all about,” said Kenton Ridge assistant baseball coach Scott Zerkle. “Even as we parted ways in baseball, he still supported his classmates and the coaching staff. I spoke to him before he went to school this year, and as we said our good-byes, he flashed his normal huge grin. I will always remember how that smile made me feel that day.”

Randon McNeil, a 2009 Kenton Ridge graduate, played baseball and basketball with Linthicum.

“He hit the longest home run I have ever seen at Tom Randall Field and I remember wanting to be able to match that,” McNeil said, “but I never got it out there like he did. I always admired his hard work and dedication to athletics. He was a first baseman, and I had the privilege of playing behind him and learning from him.

“I remember seeing him in the weight room while he was on break from college continuing to lift weights to get better. There is no doubt he will be missed on the Wabash football team and throughout our community.”

Wabash players were informed of Linthicum’s death by e-mail, the college announced.

“The entire Wabash community is saddened by this tragic news, and our thoughts and prayers are with Josh’s family,” Wabash President Patrick E. White said in a statement. “Josh was an extremely likable guy who was full of spirit and had a zest for life. I know that he loved attending Wabash and being a part of the Wabash football team. He will be missed by all of us at the college.”

Said head coach Erik Raeburn in a statement, “Josh always stopped by my office when he was headed to work in the training room just to sit and talk for a while. This is such a terrible tragedy for his parents and family, and for his Wabash family, as well.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.

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