The Chronicle-Telegram Monday, April 12, 1999
Thomas M Lisehan, English prof, author
Thomas More Linehan, a professor of English at Oberlin College, was a published writer whose articles were about such notable authors as Charles Dickens, Flannery O’Conner and Toni Morrison.
Mr. Linehan, 62 of Oberlin died Sunday after an eight month battle with cancer.
Mr. Linehan, a native of Chicago, earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in 1962 and his master’s in 1963. He earned his doctorate in 1972 in English literature from the University of Chicago. He specialized in 18th century British literature and theory of narrative.
He joined the English Department at Oberlin College in 1971, coming from Northern Illinois Unervisity.
Mr. Linehan’s interests were wide-ranging. Besides articles on various writers, he also wrote about the Cleveland-area relocation of Japanese-Americans at the end of World War II. At the time of his death, he was working on a book that studied a case of wrongful conviction in California as a window on the justice system.
Mr. Linehan served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1959.
Survivors include his wife, Katherine B. (nee Bailey); and a son Brian Linehan of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bartholomew and Marie (nee Grass) Linehan.
There will be no visitation. Merorial services will be announced by the Cowling Funeral Home, Inc. in Oberlin.
There will be a private family burial in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Ill.

OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE April 20,1999
Thomas More Linehan
A memorial service for Thomas More Linehan, 62, Professor of English at Oberlin College, will be held 2 p.m. on May 1 at the First Church in Oberlin.
Mr. Linehan died April 11 at his home after battling cancer for eight months.
Born in Chicago, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in 1962 and his master’s (1963) and doctorate (1972) from the University of Chicago. He specialized in 18th century British literature and the theory of narrative.
Before coming to Oberlin in 1971, he taught at Northern Illinois University.
Mr. Linehan’s interests were wide-ranging. Besides articles on such authors as Charles Dickens, Flannery O’Conner, and Toni Morrison, he also wrote about the Cleveland-area relocation of Japanese-Americans in World War II. At the time of his death, he was working on a book that studied a case of wrongful conviction in California as a window on the justice system.
Mr. Linehan served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1959.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine B. (nee Bailey); and a son Brian Linehan of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bartholomew and Marie (nee Grass) Linehan.
Private family burial was in the Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following: The Nature Conservancy, 1815 N. Lynn St., Arlington, VA 22209: Oberlin College Conservatory of Music (Piano Faculty): Organization for the Restoration of La Fenice, Save Venice, Inc., 15 East 74 St., New York NY 10021; or New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria 44035.

The Oberlin Review April 16, 1999
News
Linehan succumbs to cancer
by Benjamin Clark
Respected English professor Thomas Linehan died on Sunday morning after a prolonged struggle with cancer. Linehan is survived by his wife, Professor of English Katherine Linehan, and their son Brian.
After being diagnosed with cancer last summer Linehan took an emergency medical leave of absence. Caught off guard by the sudden diagnosis, the English department had to make last minute arrangements to cover his absence.
Despite Linehan’s battle with cancer, he could not be kept from his love of teaching, and he managed to return to the classroom this semester. He held a private reading on Jane Austen with several students before his unfortunate passing. “I was really moved by the fact that he continued to teach up until the very end. It was obvious he had a real joy for teaching,” said senior Briana Flinchbaugh. According to Flinchbaugh, Linehan loved the movie Clueless, because it was an adaptation of the Austen novel Emma. He had planned to have his private reading group over to his home after Spring Break for a viewing of the film. Unfortunately, his persisting health problems preempted the viewing.
Associate Professor of English Nick Jones, Linehan’s colleague and friend, explained how happy Linehan was that he could complete his first module class. “He was so happy that he could finish,” said Jones.
Linehan joined the English department in 1971 after teaching at Northern Illinois University. He served in the Air Force from 1955-59, and then began his education at Loyola University in 1962. Linehan earned his M.A. and PhD. from the University of Chicago in 1963 and 1972.
His abrupt diagnosis and sudden death caught the campus by surprise. “I was saddened to learn of his passing. He was a dedicated faculty member who will remembered with fondness by several generations of Oberlin students,” said Dean of the college Clayton Koppes.
Linehan’s scholarly expertise lied in eighteenth century literature. He published work on Dickens and Flannery O’Connor, as well as Toni Morrison. Professor of English Robert Pierce said, “He was always, I think, an iconoclast. Someone who was willing to question conventional wisdom. He was particularly skeptical about a lot of modern theoretical developments.”
There always remained a humane element to Linehan’s work. Recently, he was trying to publish a book length analysis of an unjustly accused immigrant boy in California. “You wouldn’t expect that work from someone who taught eighteenth century literature, but Tom cared about the poor,” said Jones.
Linehan worked closely with students during his 28 years at Oberlin, enjoying the close relationships he developed with students. Jones said, “I felt that Tom was always wonderful at getting on the level of students.” Jones noted that Linehan relished intelligent discussions with his students. “I loved talking to Tom after he had an intellectual talk with a student. His eyes were alive,” said Jones.
Besides his considerable professional expertise, Linehan will be remembered for his humane approach to life and the Oberlin community at large.

The Oberlin Review April 16, 1999
Commentary
The Oberlin Review
established 1874
Editors in Chief: Susanna Henighan, Abby Person
Managing Editor: Zachary Williamson
Commentary Editors: Amie Ely and Jeff Little
Linehan committed, compassionate
This past week, the Oberlin community suffered a great loss with the passing of English professor Thomas Linehan. “Old Tom.” as he jovially asked the students in his Intro to narrative Fiction class to call him, was an intelligent, and more importantly, compassionate professor and mentor. Though his specialty may have been in 18th century British literature, his impact on the many students who passed through his classes transcended the words of Johnson and Swift.
Professor Linehan was born in Chicago and came to Oberlin in 1971 where he served for the last 28 years as a professor in the English Department. He had been interested in writers and topics as diverse as Dickens, Morrison, and was working on a book detailing a wrongful conviction in California. As successful as his academic career was, his leadership and kindness are his legacy to the Oberlin community.
Throughout the college, students would be heard discussing Tom’s personal devotion to his students. Last year I overheard one student, a first-year, remark that, “...of all the professors I’ve had, Professor Linehan is the only one who says hi and remembers my name every time he sees me.” It is this kindness to a student in a new unfamiliar environment that made Tom such an asset to Oberlin and its student body.
His commitment to students’ growth as intellectuals was readily apparent. As professor, he could be challenging and exacting, never hesitant to challenge a student to delve into the weighty prose of Joyce and Woolf. And as difficult as it may have been at the time to wring that last hidden epiphany out of Dubliners, in retrospect, to do so was a rewarding challenge.
The last quarter century has seen many students reap the benefits of Professor Linehan’s exactitude and compassion. As surely as there are a great many writers who have grown as a result of his careful tutelage, there are many more who grew to be better people through his benevolence.