John Linder

Inducted 2018

John Linder loved the radio business. He left a lasting positive mark on the many communities he served. Ahead of his time in his approach, he always kept it local and community focused. He was kind to his employees and loved the midsized Minnesotan community way of life as much as he loved radio.

After studying electrical engineering and working at the Minnesota Electric Supply Company, he followed his father, Don Linder, into the radio business. Don recognized his son’s talent, and upon retirement he appointed John CEO of Minnesota Valley Broadcasting and Radio Mankato group. Don still stopped into the office every day to chat.

Over the course of four decades, John was continually proud of the family connection with radio. John’s ownership interests included a share of the Linder Farm Network along with multiple radio stations within the communities of Mankato, Owatonna, Rochester, Waseca, Marshall, Pella, Fort Dodge, St. James, Montevideo, Worthington, Sauk Center, Hutchinson, Winthrop, Olivia, Duluth, and briefly a station he moved into the Twin Cities metro area.

He now strengthens the family legacy by joining his father, grandfather, cousin, and granduncle in the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of fame (Don Linder, Harry Linder, Steve Linder, and Willard Linder, respectively).

John Linder passed away on September 22, 2017, after a nine-month battle with cancer.