Linda Harter Anz, MD
Linda Harter Anz, MD was called to heaven peacefully from her home on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at the age of 70 years. Daughter of Louis and Don Harter, Wife to Bert Anz, MD, and Mother of three children: Lisa, Marq, and Adam, whom all dearly loved her, and whom she dearly loved. She is grandmother of 9 children. Our mother loved her Savior, her family, and others, all more than herself.
Her God given purpose on earth was to serve children through her profession as a pediatrician, which she did with all her heart. She served the local Auburn/Opelika Metropolitan Area for 39 years and truly reflected her Savior’s call to “serve rather than be served.” Matthew 19:26-28. She always placed others before herself, especially the children whom she cared for.
Her local colleague, Dr. Sara Smith T’s lovely words:
Her service was tireless, and her love for her work with children was obvious to all who worked with her. Her compassion for children and their families led her to advocate for them and serve in a unique way. Through the years, she was a wonderful consultant to her colleagues, and a shining smile on a daily basis. Her career was an inspiration to many, and she will be missed and remembered by the nursing staffs of the nursery, the pediatric unit at EAMC, and the Pediatric Clinic.
While practicing medicine full time and raising three children, she also served the agenda of children’s health, safety, and access to healthcare at the state and national level through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Her state colleague, Dr. Wes Stubblefield’s lovely words:
A tireless leader and advocate at the state Chapter and national level.
Dr. Anz served in numerous capacities within the leadership of the Alabama Chapter-AAP over the past 33 years, including CME Chair, CATCH Coordinator, Quality Improvement Chair, Women & Minority Committee Chair, and Chapter President from 1997 to 1999. She later became involved at the District level of the AAP as Chapter Forum Representative National Nominating Committee (Member and Chairperson) and Vice Chairperson. Most recently, she served as Chair of the AAP Committee on Membership.
In addition, she served on the Certifying Examination Committee of the American Board of Pediatrics, and was very involved in her county medical society and on hospital medical staff, and was a founding board member of her local child advocacy center.
Dr. Anz received an undergraduate degree from Duke University, her medical degree from the University of Louisville, and attained her general pediatric internship, residency, and fellowship in pediatric endocrinology from the University of Miami. Her previous awards include Children’s of Alabama’s Master Pediatrician Award in 1993 and the AAP’s award for outstanding service as Chapter Coordinator that same year.
She was the Chapter’s first recipient of the Chapter’s Carden Johnston Leadership Award in 2011, and in 2016, received the Medical Association of the State of Alabama’s Paul Burleson Award.
We will mostly miss her smile, infectious laugh, and passion for child health and the AAP.
The above accolades though pale in comparison to her love for our Lord Jesus and our love for her. She was a devoted member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where her passion for music was expressed by her singing in the choir. She was involved in small groups and loved time spent in fellowship. This loved spilled over into overseas medical missions work to Romania, Dominican Republic, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, serving children worldwide.
At home, she was a wonderful, loving mother who enjoyed gardening and caring for Orchids. Her rose garden of 34 years will remain and be tended by her children. Her love will prevail over our loss in our hearts.
Visitation was held from 12:00 noon until 1:45 p.m. Monday, June 17, 2019 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Auburn, Alabama. Funeral service followed at 2:00 p.m. at the church, followed by a graveside service at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, …. but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.