Obituary of Harvey A. Linden

Burke, Virginia Harvey A. Linden, of Burke, VA, beloved father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather formerly of Albany, NY and Burbank, CA died on Sunday, December 25th 2011in his home in Virginia. Born in Albany to the late Jack Linden and Francis Privler-Linden, he was a graduate of Albany High School, Class of 1950. He would later serve in the United States Army from 1953-1955. With a natural born talent for retail sales, Harvey had his first job at age nine delivering groceries, which would soon turn into a lifelong and prosperous career selling women's shoes. He became an entrepreneur in the late 1970's when he purchased his first women's shoe store, Shoe Scene. Harvey would later be the co-owner of numerous shoe warehouses. Harvey had a tremendous passion for life. His biggest joy was the time he spent with his family and friends. He often remembered some of the best times in his life were spent having late night talks with his mother Francis, playing with his three beautiful daughters Beth, Lisa, and Robin as children, vacationing with his father Jack and stepmother Mollie, and visiting his brothers and sister, and their children. Over the past thirty years Harvey became very health conscientious and would never miss his day at the gym and lunch with friends. He very much enjoyed traveling and going to the movies. Some of his favorite vacation spots included Hawaii, South Beach Miami, Las Vegas, and yearly visits to Southern California and New York to visit family and Saratoga Race Track in August. His favorite travel companions were his beloved friends John and Barbara Shannon. He was never afraid to go on an adventure, but most of his travels would always have a race track not too far away. Horse racing, was one of his most adored hobbies, which lead him to be the owner of several champion race horses over the years. Of which his most cherished race horse was Along Came Jones. Harvey had a profound presence and will be remembered by all for his hilarious sense of humor and generosity. He would have conversations with complete strangers, but by the end of the talk he would have a new friend. Never wanting to be behind on the times, Harvey became a computer whiz in his retired years. He used his new found skill to help advance his brothers and sister in the new generation of technology. Family and friends meant everything him and his passing is a great loss for all that knew him. Harvey was preceded in death by oldest daughter Beth Lee Linden. He is survived by his daughters Lisa Ann Linden, Robin Linden-Campbell and her husband Michael Campbell; grandchildren Colt Chilcoat, Davia Chilcoat, Trevor VanMetre, CRP Chavez Kalen A., Michael T. Campbell, Jacob Campbell, and great-grandson Soyer Chilcoat; siblings David Linden and wife Nancy, Irwin Linden and wife Colleen, Barbara Meehan; nieces and nephews Mark, Jason, Zachary Linden, Darren Delong, Stacey Meehan, Alison Urban; great-niece and nephews Adam, Jacob, and Alexis Linden, Paige, Jack, and Sydney Delong, and Maxwell Urban. The family would like to give a special thanks to all those who took part in his care and the never ending support and well wishes over the past several months. The family would also like to make a special mention of Harvey's beloved friends Chuck and Pat Stein, whose friendship has been immeasurable. Services will be held at Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Ave in Albany, on Wednesday December 28, 2011 at 1:30 pm, with interment to follow at the Independent Benevolent Cemetery, Fuller Road, Guilderland, NY. Those wishing to remember Harvey in a special way may make a memorial contribution to St. Jude's Children Hospital in lieu of flowers