VCU Mourns Loss of Lance Cpl. Karl Linn

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

Students, faculty and staff at Virginia Commonwealth University were stunned to learn of the tragic loss of engineering student Karl Linn, who was killed in Iraq on Wednesday when his Marine platoon was ambushed in the Anbar province.

“The entire VCU community is saddened by his death, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his parents, and his brother.  We also want to express our appreciation and pride in this young man, only 20 years old, who so honorably and bravely served our country,” said VCU President Eugene P. Trani.

Karl was a 2002 graduate of James River High School in Midlothian, Va.  After graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the 2^nd Platoon, Company C, 4^th Engineering Battalion out of Lynchburg.

Karl was in the delayed entry program which allowed him to participate in basic training on the weekends and begin his studies as a mechanical engineering major at VCU.  His unit was activated last year and sent into combat in November 2004.   

Karl was always interested in Engineering, and was a huge fan of the FIRST Robotics competition held here at VCU.  In fact, he founded James River’s robotics team.  Karl came to VCU with an excellent high school profile and received one of our Alcoa Foundation Community Scholarships. 

Karl especially will be missed by his fellow students and faculty in the School of Engineering, where he was well known and well liked.  He could always be found in the halls or labs of the Engineering School. As Dean Robert Mattauch so aptly put it, he was part of our family.

“As family, we will never forget Karl’s contributions to VCU as a student, and his sacrifice for our country as a United States Marine.  We are forever indebted to him,” Dr. Trani said.

For more information on Karl and his service in Iraq, please visit a Richmond Times-Dispatch article "You're Never Prepared" or Karl’s own website at www.karl.linn.net.