Dwight E. Link

Dwight E Link Sr. (85) of Geneva IL, formerly of Chicago, Robinson, Elgin and Batavia Illinois and Escanaba, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. He was born June 2, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Erich and Susan (Churchill) Link. He was United in marriage to Patsy (Vincent) Link on August 18, 1956, and to Rosalie (Jones) Link on November 6, 2010.

He is survived by his four children Donald (Karol Kadechka) Link, Darryl (Cynthia) Link, Patrice (David) Tarlach, and Dwight E (Karen) Link Jr.; eleven grandchildren, Cooper and Emma Link, Chelsea (Evan) Marks, Darcy and Johnathon Link, Evan and Isabella Tarlach, Aaron, Seth, Ethan and Samuel Link; a great-grandchild Micaiah; and a sister Judith Mathison.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his two spouses, Patsy and Rosalie, and a brother Donald Link.

Dwight graduated from North Park Academy in 1954 and then attended Trinity College, where he graduated in 1961. During his time at Trinity College, he attended college part time while supporting his young family. In the fall of 1961, he began teaching high school students at Fenton High School in Bensenville, Illinois.

In July 1969, Dwight was awarded a competitive grant and he enrolled as a full-time graduate student at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He earned both his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University. In the summer of 1971, he became the Dean of Instruction at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois. His next position of eight years was back in the Chicago area, where he was appointed Vice President for Instruction at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois.

Dwight’s desire to seek a Community College presidency led him and Pat to Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, Michigan, where he served as President from 1985 until he retired in the spring of 1997. Following his retirement, he and Pat remained in Escanaba until 2001, when they moved back to the Chicago area to be closer to family. He spent some time in his retirement years acting as caregiver to his wife Pat, his Aunt June, and his mother Susan.

Dwight had two great loves in his life. His first was Pat, to whom he was married for 50 years, and the second was to Rosalie Jones, to whom he was married for 7 years. Although each wife was very different, both brought great joy to Dwight.

Dwight devoted his life to education. His career path complimented his love of encouraging and guiding those around him to reach their fullest potential. The foundations of his life were faith, family, and service.

Visitation will be held 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL. 

A funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 9, 2022, at Chapelstreet 2300 South Street Geneva IL.  He will lie in state from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral.  Graveside interment and committal services will be held 1:30 P.M. Monday at Ridgewood Memorial Park 9900 North Milwaukee Avenue Des Plaines, IL.   

Memorial contributions may be directed to Bay de Noc Community College Foundation, for a scholarship in the name of The Dr. Dwight E. Link Presidential Scholarship. The address is 2001 North Lincoln Road, Escanaba MI 49829. Contributions may also be directed to the Rush Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center at Rush University Medical Center. The address is 1620 West Harrison Street, Chicago IL 60612.