Joseph R. Links

July 15, 1945 - July 23, 2013

Joseph R. Links II, 68, passed away July 23, 2013 at the Ebeid Hospice Residence at Flower Hospital. He was born in Toledo on July 15, 1945 toJoseph and Leatrice Links and was a lifelong citizen of Toledo. Joe attended and played football at Waite High School, graduating in 1963 before moving on to Baldwin-Wallace College. In 1965 he married Barbara Koch and together they had two children, Gretchen and Greg. Joe's decorated career began as a teacher at the University of Toledo where he mentored hundreds of students who were moving toward their careers in technology. Joe eventually left teaching to start Software Alternatives, Inc. which at its peak had over 400 employees in cities across the U.S. He also served as CEO for a national IT recruiting and staffing firm,and CEO for a consulting company focused on assisting IT organizations buildtheir marketing and sales processes. He was a genuine leader who developed many sincere and lasting friendships along the way. A uniquely kind and patient person, Joe was also very funny and had a tremendous sense of humor. Passionate about his family, golf and the Buckeyes, Joe will be missed greatly by all those he touched in life, but most especially his family. Joe is survived by his wife Barbara (Koch),daughter Gretchen (David), son Greg (Kelly) and his 5 grandchildren who heloved dearly: Emily, Anna, Devon, Landonand Keira. Friends are invited to visit on Sunday July 28, 2013 from2:00-8:00PM in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Ave. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00AM at Reformation Lutheran Church. Interment will be private. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Reformation Lutheran Church or Ebeid Hospice Residence. To send Joe's family online condolences, please visit www.ansberg-west.com.