Robert E. Linneman | Marketing professor, 78

Robert E. Linneman, 78, of Phoenixville, a retired marketing professor, died Wednesday of heart failure at Paoli Hospital.

Dr. Linneman earned a bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. During the Korean War, he was a navigator and bombardier with the Strategic Air Command in Texas. While on leave in 1952, he married his college sweetheart, Annabelle Witt.

After his discharge, he and his wife lived on his family's farm in central Illinois for several years and he developed an innovative technique for growing corn.

In 1964, he earned a doctorate in marketing from the University of Illinois and joined the faculty of Temple University. He was an associate dean of the School of Business at Temple from 1972 to 1975. From 1985 to 1986, he was dean of Temple University, Japan. He received a Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1976.

After retiring from Temple in 1990, he was professor of food marketing at St. Joseph's University for 10 years. Dr. Linneman wrote more than 50 articles and five books; was vice president and director of the American Marketing Association; and was a business consultant.

In recent years, he volunteered with Chester County Futures as a mentor to low-income students.

His shared his zest for life with his students and family, said his brother, William.

"He was probably the most gifted teacher I have ever known," said Dick Lancioni, chairman of Temple's marketing department.

In addition to his wife and brother, Dr. Linneman is survived by sons Robert and Kurt; a sister; and two grandchildren.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the home of Kurt Linneman, 325 Shelbourne Lane, Phoenixville.