Gary Robert Linder

Gary Robert Linder, Gedaliah Reuven ben Yaakov HaKohen, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 13,1954, and died on November 9, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Jacob and Bertha Linder z”l.

He is survived by his brothers, Harvey and Paul Linder, beloved wife of 43 years, Jill, loving sons, Jacob (Coby) and Jonathan (Yoni), brother-in-law, Mark Kiperstin, and numerous adoring and loyal family members and friends.

Gary was a high school graduate of the Maimonides School, Yeshiva University, and Northwestern University Law School. He also studied in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s junior year program. Gary was an outstanding student in each of these institutions.

Gary began practicing law in a private firm in Chicago in 1986. Six years later, he was invited to move to Los Angeles as in-house counsel to a client of the Chicago firm. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1992, and has resided there ever since. They became part of the Modern Orthodox B’nai David-Judea Congregation and enjoyed a warm relationship with the Shul Rabbi and members of the congregation. Strong bonds were forged with a group of six families, the “study group,” who meet on the long summer Shabbat afternoons. Gary truly enjoyed these afternoons filled with learning and song. These same study group members serenaded Gary in his hospital room on one of the final evenings of his life.

Gary relished his role as a father. From Coby and Yoni’s early years on the basketball court, and baseball or soccer field, Gary was either wearing his coach’s whistle or cheering from the sidelines. He encouraged his sons to follow their passions, and was an enthusiastic supporter of Coby and his band, “Say Anything,” during Coby’s high school years and beyond. His Spotify playlists were filled with Say Anything hits. He was one of the proudest fathers in the Rutgers University football stadium at Yoni’s graduation.

The past 15 years, when Gary and Jill were alone in the house, after Coby moved to Dallas, and Yoni to Boston, were a special time for Gary and Jill. Their lives took on a new rhythm, as they had more flexible schedules and time for each other.

When Gary started to have significant medical issues, they faced them together with strength and fortitude. Indeed, one of Gary’s oncologists often referred to Gary as “stoic.” Gary overcame a particularly virulent chemotherapy therapy treatment last spring, and by summer, was exercising daily and working in his downtown Los Angeles office. One month ago, the cancer returned in a particularly vicious manner. Within a matter of weeks, he became too weak to face further treatment, and ultimately succumbed to the dreaded disease.

Gary passed away last Saturday night, just after the conclusion of Shabbat. He had been sleeping since the previous afternoon, and slipped away peacefully.

The family gratefully acknowledges the love and support of Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky, Dr. Rae Drazin, Abigail Yasgur and Judge Joseph Lipner, Celinda Levy, and Joni and Mike Schockett, Gary's caregivers Bob and Vincent, along with many family members, friends, professional colleagues, medical professionals, and clients.

Gary will be deeply missed each and every day. May the precious soul of Gary Robert Linder be bound up in the bond of eternal life, and may his memory be for a blessing to all who knew, cared, and loved him so deeply.

Donations in Gary Robert Linder’s memory may be made to Maimonides School, 34 Philbrick Road, Brookline, MA 02445: www.maimonides.org/support-us/donate-now

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:30pm on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline with livestream viewing available using the following link: www.levinelive.com/garylinder

Burial will follow in Agudath Israel Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury.