Samuel Shien-Yi Lin

Samuel Shien-Yi Lin. Age 84, died Saturday, October 3 rd , 2026, at his home in Wilmette, IL.

Samuel Shien-Yi Lin was born on September 13, 1942, the oldest of 5 brothers and 1 sister. He grew up in Lukang, Taiwan, until he moved to Taipei to study chemical engineering. In 1966, he emigrated to Massachusetts for a Masters degree in chemical engineering at Lowell Tech. While there, he attended a gathering thrown by his college classmate, Su-Yu Kuo, in her apartment in New York City, where he was introduced to Su-Yu’s sister, Kao Kuo (Taka), whom he would later marry. 

Sam and Taka moved to Berkeley, California, where he earned his PhD in chemical engineering and welcomed their first 2 children, Nancy and Mary. The day after graduation, they drove to Toledo, Ohio. There, they welcomed their third daughter, Michelle, and made a home for over a decade. During those years, Sam helped his parents and siblings immigrate to the United States, one by one. He supported them as they pursued college educations, started businesses, and raised their children. The Lin family in Ohio grew and thrived, sharing birthdays, Thanksgivings, Christmases, and countless other holidays. He had a deep love of the outdoors and an adventurous spirit – his family remember with great fondness the many times spent fishing at Olander Park, playing mah-jong and Uno in the middle of winter, snow all around, warmed by a fire in an open-air shelter at Oak Openings Park, walks through the woods, sledding and cross-country skiing. He was a gifted and larger-than-life storyteller. His eyes sparkled brightly, and his whole face glowed with happiness when he recounted tales of mischief and fun he and his siblings and friends had during their childhood in Taiwan. One of his greatest accomplishments was to recreate that spirit in Ohio. Indeed, the extended families saw one another almost every day, creating a close and joyful time that Sam’s family remembers as truly magical. 

Sam worked in the paper industry throughout his career. He developed many systems to make manufacturing processes both safer and more efficient. His work took him all over the world – to Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Romania, and many towns across the U.S. He loved learning about other cultures, especially the food and people. He was always on a quest for the perfect Hungarian goulash, and on the lookout for Polish festivals or similar events. 

In 1988, he moved with his family to the Chicago area. Over time, some of his siblings also moved to Chicago, while others settled across the country. Eventually, he was delighted to welcome five grandchildren into the world. His grandchildren remember him as their treasured “Agon”, who always made time to play games, take them to museums, fly kites, go fishing, share jokes, walk in the park, watch documentaries, read poetry, and teach them to ride their bikes. 

All his life, Sam devoted himself to his family, always working to make sure everyone was healthy, safe, and comfortable. He worked hard and, even at the very end, made sure all were secure and remembered the lessons he had taught them. It is thus fitting that “family” was one of his very last words, and lessons. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. 

Sam is survived by his wife, Kao Kuo “Taka” Lin; his three daughters, Nancy, Mary, and Michelle, their spouses, Steve Hychong and Brian Doane; five grandchildren, Eric, Emily, Elyse, Catherine, and Riley; and many siblings and their families, who will carry his memory forward. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dr. Nancy Lin’s research fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Samuel Lin: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or via dana-farber.org/gift.