Richard D. Linville

LINVILLE, RICHARD DORLAND, 90, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday Jan. 6. 2005. He was born in Berwick, Pa., then moved to South Bend, Ind., as a child. He moved to St. Petersburg from Pleasant Valley. Iowa in 1989.

He attended Purdue University where he had a double major in electrical and mechanical engineering. While in South Bend, he worked as a test driver and shop manual writer for Studebaker. During World War II he wrote manuals for trucks and tanks at Check Chart. While working as an industrial equipment salesman in Davnport, Iowa, he developed electronic control equipment. He founded his own company, Sterling Controls Inc, in Sterling, IL. He held eight U.S and foreign patents. After selling his company, he developed and patented and innovative automobile engine. He was Episcopalian and served on the vestry at Holy Cross Church.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Vivian; two sons, Richard Jr., and Peter A.; a daughter, Susan Slavin; seven grand-children; and seven great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

12/22/2023 EJS