Charles Lineback

Charles Lineback, who over the course of his life was a tax and trust attorney, long haul trucker and Vietnam veteran, died February 6. He was 72 years old.

Charles Steven Lineback was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1947 to Clyde and Alma Lineback. After graduating from Western Hills High in 1965, he spent a year in college before joining the Army in 1966.

He was a Sergeant and tank commander in C company of the 2nd Battalion 64th Armored Brigade attached to the 3rd Infantry Division. Later, Mr. Lineback said he went “green to gold,” meaning he became an officer after being enlisted. Before leaving for Vietnam, he was married in Germany. During his tour, Mr. Lineback was a first Lieutenant with the 8th Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment and served near the DMZ as a forward artillery observer and a gunnery officer back on the firebase. Mr. Lineback arrived home a month before his first child was born. He was 22.

After Vietnam, he used the GI Bill to graduate from the University of Dayton with an accounting degree. His first marriage ended and he became a long haul trucker. He was a proud million miler with McLean trucking before attending and graduating from Chase Law school in 1978. In a letter to one of his children he said, “Whatever happens to you is meant to be because you largely control the events in your life. I’m not a partner at a large downtown firm because it didn’t fit for me.” Instead, he set up a private practice and taught classes at the University of Cincinnati, Raymond Walters campus. He was  married again.

Charles Lineback had two boys and resided in Symmes Township for the next thirty years. Mr. Lineback said his private practice allowed him a flexible schedule to take off if one of his children was sick or leave early if he needed to drop by the grocery and make dinner. He enjoyed simple things- reading, watching TV with his family, growing herbs and flowers in an Earthbox, building a playhouse for his kids.

After the end of his second marriage- and a lifetime in Ohio, he decided he would retire to California. He packed up his silver convertible and never looked back. As he said in an email to one of his children, “It is very easy to stay in a rut and most people do. I am profoundly grateful that I finally left,” he continued, “and I wouldn't trade my last five years for anything.” He ended up spending almost a decade in his newly adopted state, exploring the coast and taking up a new hobby- photography.

It is his kindness and thoughtfulness we will miss most. Just a few days after his death, his children each received a box of citrus— ordered weeks before. He was like that, always sending a little note or newspaper clipping- or offering words of encouragement just when needed. He once said, “I think the goal of life is to figure out the best you can, your own solution. There may not be a great solution.” He also often used this quote from William Sayoran, “In the time of your life, live.” He did that, every day of his life.

Charles Lineback died in his home. He had congestive heart failure. He is survived by his three children Margaret Kerkman (Tim), Christopher Lineback (Jennifer) and Andrew Lineback (Elena), his sister Janet Lineback and two grandchildren, Luke Kerkman and Elliot Lineback. He was proceeded in death by his parents.

He will be buried at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. If you’d like you remember him, consider a donation to WoundedWarriorProject.org or ProKids.org

If you’d like to leave a memory, you can do so on his Facebook page: https://facebook.com/charles.lineback.1