MDF is deeply saddened to report the passing of Andrew B. Linbeck, a devoted and passionate supporter who promoted Care for people living with DM. Andrew passed away on November 8th, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Andrew is survived by his wife, Shanna, and daughters Savanna, Miranda and Danielle.

Andrew’s keen mind and engaging personality will be dearly missed by those privileged to know and work with him. He was a successful business man, sports fan, unwaveringly devoted father and husband, a man of faith, and loved nothing more than to “turn money into memories”, as he used to say.

After Shanna’s DM1 diagnosis in 1995, Andrew began his journey to learn about myotonic dystrophy and advocate for those living with the disease. In 2013, he and Shanna formalized their efforts and developed a strategy to help change the face of patient care for myotonic dystrophy. They partnered with MDF and made a significant mulit-year grant to expand MDF’s Myotonic Dystrophy Family Registry and communications efforts.

Over the next several years they made significant investments in key initiatives, including the Consensus-based Care Recommendations Initiative, MDF’s Clinical Researcher Coordinators program, and MDF DM Days. These projects are high-impact and significant priorities of MDF, and we are deeply thankful for Andrew and Shanna’s commitment, insights and perspective, all of which enhanced the lives of patients and families living with myotonic dystrophy.

We are sad to have lost a friend and partner. Andrew will be remembered as a force who was deeply concerned with and devoted to improving care for our community. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife, Shanna, and daughters, Savanna, Miranda and Danielle, and all his friends and family.