John R Linch

January 5, 1942 - July 15, 2026. John was born in Canton, Mississippi on January 5, 1942 to Lyle K and Mae Billman Linch. He grew up in Fort Madison, Iowa where he met his wife of 57 years, Martha Brockman. After graduating with a degree in Forestry from Iowa State University, he was drafted into the Army and spent a year in Vietnam. He proposed to Martha once discharged and they married on December 28, 1968, starting their life together as a Forest Service family in Orofino Idaho. During John’s Forest Service career, the family lived at six different Ranger Stations in Idaho and Montana and the forests of both states became a special home. John loved being outdoors and had a longstanding commitment to the forestry industry. John actively participated in every community where he lived and his notable contributions included to Rotary International, the Boy Scouts, and the Catholic Church. He began his service in the Boy Scouts, serving in many capacities for over fifty years. During his membership in Rotary International, he secured grants, worked with youth in Interact and Youth Exchange, and was involved in many large projects, including creating the only International Scenic Byway, the Selkirk Loop. After he retired to Priest River in 1998, he stayed active in the community, especially Rotary and Boy Scouts. John mentored many in being a steward of the earth, fostering fun and partnerships, and modeled that working hard is necessary but can also be fun.

John lived a long life filled with jokes, family and friends. His booming and ready laughter is something we all treasure. He passed down his love of reading, adventuring, spending time in nature, laughing, eating good food, working hard, and serving his community to his kids and grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister. He is survived by his wife, four children, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a sister and several nieces and nephews. 

There will be a funeral service August 29 at 1:00 pm at St Catherine Catholic Church in Priest River, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:30 pm at the Rotary Park Building, 68 Diamond Mill Road in Oldtown. Please bring along your favorite stories, jokes and remembrances of John to share at the Celebration of Life. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mingay Scout Scholarship Fund in care of Brad Mingay, 3348 E Grand Tour Drive, Hayden, Idaho 83835.