In Memory of Professor Emeritus Peter Linz

Peter Linz, professor emeritus of computer science and mathematics at the University of California, Davis, and founder of Logos Books in Davis, passed away at his home on July 11, 2024.

Linz was born in Apatin, Yugoslavia (Serbia), a city founded by Austrian immigrants, on July 19, 1936. Linz immigrated with his family in 1952 to Montréal in Canada, where he finished high school and went on to complete a degree in mathematics and physics at McGill University. He later completed a master's degree in physics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1959, starting a Ph.D. in computer science there before leaving to go to work for IBM in Poughkeepsie from 1963 to 1965. He returned to complete his Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1968.

From 1968 to 1970, Linz worked as an assistant professor at the Courant Institute in New York before accepting a position in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Davis in 1970. A member of the Graduate Group in Computer Science, Linz was a founding faculty member of the Division of Computer Science, formed in 1983 under the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He retired from UC Davis as chair of the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering in 1994, having been a principal in the department's creation in 1992.

Computer science faculty and staff remember Linz fondly and appreciate his impact on the department.

"I joined the computer science department at UC Davis in 1996, and I remember meeting Peter during those early years," said Dipak Ghosal, professor of computer science and current chair of the department. "He was a key leader during the formation of the department. We all are grateful for his contributions."

"Peter played a big role in the creation of the computer science department," said Chip Martel, professor emeritus of computer science. "I appreciated Peter's sage advice. I think Peter's style contributed to the development of a collegial attitude in the department as it grew."

"In my opinion, Peter was the number one leader in the creation of the Department of Computer Science," said Norman Matloff, professor emeritus of computer science.

"I remember Peter very fondly," said Ken Gribble, senior systems administrator in the department, who reflected on regular lunches Linz hosted for department staff. "He always made me feel very welcome. Peter's strong will, gentleness and generosity was inspiring."

Ever an avid reader, Linz expanded his interest in books by becoming an independent book dealer on the web. In 2010, he translated this interest into a bricks-and-mortar store in Davis, Logos Books, that he and his wife of 49 years, Susan, ran for 7 years. Logos Books was a not-for-profit, which allowed Linz to combine his love of books with his desire to give back to those less fortunate. Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children were the recipients of all profits made at the bookstore. Due to his poor health, the bookstore was sold in 2017, but it happily found a new lease on life with the Friends of the Davis Library, another worthy, local nonprofit.

Linz enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, skiing, listening to music, reading and traveling. He pursued many of these interests with his family: wife Susan, and sons David and Thomas. "Opa Linz" reveled in the company of his grandchildren — Gabriel, Annabelle, Freddie and Emily — as well as his lovely daughters-in-law — Brooke and Helen.

Notification of a celebration of life gathering in the Fall will be forthcoming for close friends and family who are able to attend. The family asks that any gifts made in his name go to the charities he supported in life: Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children. 

Those who wish to sign a guestbook online may do so at: http://www.smith-funerals.com.