Joseph Robin "Rob" Link

Joseph Robin “Rob” Link, 66, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Saturday, August 13, 2016.

Rob was a loving husband and father, and was a friend and mentor to many.  Born in Robbinsdale, Minnesota to Edward and Margaret Link on June 12, 1950, Rob came to Duluth in 1985, at the request of his long-time business partner and close friend, Lee Anderson, to serve as president of the Jamar Co. In less than two years Rob grew the Jamar Co. from 14 to 450 employees.  He served as president until 2000 when he turned his focus to A&L Properties, which he formed with Lee Anderson, and it was then that his passion and legacy for transforming businesses and the downtown area into success stories began.  In fact, A&L Properties was so successful; it was honored by the Duluth Preservation Society and Twin Cities Business Monthly, which named A&L Properties one of Minnesota’s Top 25 property-management firms.

Rob, in partnership with Lee Anderson, revitalized the downtown area through the renovation of many buildings including the former Chinese Lantern Building, now the Duluth Athletic Club building, which houses the Minnesota Workforce Center and the city’s Workforce Development office. They also redeveloped the Wieland Block, Bridgeman Russell Building and the old Diamond Tool site.  Together they also created a financing model that provided for new, state-of-the-art medical facilities in the region. But the flagship of all their development projects is the beautiful Duluth Technology Village that replaced an ugly lot and decrepit building and anchors the center of the downtown area.

In recognition of his ability to see what others didn’t, willingness to take risks, and invest in Duluth and the broader region, Rob received the Labovitz Business Person of the Year Award in 1997 and the Labovitz entrepreneur award in the “mature entrepreneur” category in 1999. In April 2013, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards.

When not at home or work, Rob was at Northland Country Club, a place that he held dear to his heart.  He was instrumental in the preservation of Northland Country Club’s heritage during the rebuilding of the Clubhouse in 2006 and 2007. He served as board president and on several committees during his many years of membership. An avid golfer, Rob could be found on the golf course whenever time allowed.

Rob loved living life to its fullest, and especially loved sharing it with his wife and constant companion, Diane, and son, Adam.  Together, Rob and Diane enjoyed traveling, golfing at Bighorn Country Club in California, and spending time with close friends.  Rob especially looked forward to the fall and his hunting trips with Adam.  He also loved time at home with Ruby and Pearl, his beloved dogs.

Rob was preceded in death by his father, Edward Link, and mother, Margaret Link. He is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Adam; brother, Mike (Pam) Link; sister, Peggy (Steve) Michelson; father-in-law, Drexel  Bodin; mother-in-law, Rawchel (Paige Thomas) Rutter; sister-in-laws, Denise (Matthew) Arneson and Debbie Bushey; and nephews Graham Arneson, David (Kelly) Link and Jeff Laboe; and nieces, Jennifer (Eric) Gabrielson and Molly (Cliff) Smith.

Visitations will be held Sunday, August 21, 2016, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and again from 10:00 am – 11: 00 am on Monday, August 22, 2016, at First Lutheran Church, 1100 E Superior St. Duluth, MN in Duluth.  A service celebrating Rob’s life will be held immediately following the visitation at 11:00 am. The celebration of Rob’s life will continue at Northland Country Club in Duluth following the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Marshall School, 1215 Rice Lake Rd., Duluth, MN  55811, in care of the U Can Too scholarship that was established by Rob and Diane.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, (218) 727-3555.