Bob started at Travelers Aid at the Pittsburgh Greyhound bus terminal in 1976 and has built the agency brick by brick into a prominent organization in the Pittsburgh area, servicing over 7,000 clients annually, with over 25 programs.
Bob Lindner was raised in Brookline and was a student at South Catholic Hight School. He attended the University of Dayton and graduated with a degree in Psychology. After service as a medic in the US Army during the Vietnam war, Bob completed an associate degree in business administration and Masters of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. He was hired as the Executive Director by the Travelers Aid Board President in July of 1976, Varcey Troan. He served in the Executive Director role in many different incarnations of Travelers Aid, with the focus turning from exclusive stranded-traveler assistance to local transportation initiatives, beginning in the late 1990’s. Bob engineered programming to help all types of clients, from at-risk and domestic violence situations, to those with medical needs, employment services, veterans, food security, seniors and all client situations in between.
It is impossible to state in a few paragraphs the impact that Bob Lindner has had over the years and the lives he has touched. Needless to say, he has helped thousands of individuals over the decades, whether it be our neighbors here in Pittsburgh, or stranded travelers to return to other cities.
FROM ALL OF THE STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TRAVELERS AID, BOB, IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND PLEASURE…BEST OF LUCK IN RETIREMENT!
SINCERELY, TRAVELERS AID OF PITTSBURGH
A Message From Bob…
“For financially struggling families the lack of transportation to access services often presents an insurmountable barrier. For 48 years I have had the privilege of working for a pioneering organization that has been at the forefront of confronting those barriers, resulting in thousands upon thousands of positive outcomes. Not only am I appreciative of the opportunity to have been affiliated with such an outstanding agency and staff but also just as confident that Travelers Aid will remain at the forefront of innovative solutions for those in need in our community.” – Robert Lindner, Former Executive Director of Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh
Thoughts from the Board of Directors…
“I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to work beside Bob for the
past five years and witness his passion towards Travelers Aid’s mission. His
tenacity, creativity, and wit was the perfect recipe to create a long-lasting
legacy he will leave behind, after his 48 years at the organization. He led
Travelers Aid through some tumultuous times, most recently the COVID-19
pandemic, with the utmost care and respect for Travelers Aid’s clients and
staff. Bob was always able to effectively demonstrate to the Board the
day-to-day impact the organization was making in the lives of individuals in
our community, and we are thankful that we are able to be a small part of
something so special.” – Shea Zebert, Board President
“As a former member of the Board of Directors of Travelers Aid Society of Pittsburgh for many years, I had the privilege and opportunity to interact on a regular basis with Bob Lindner, the Executive Director, for over 40 years. As a result, I learned that Bob was a visionary who developed and implemented, along with a very dedicated and excellent staff, cost effective, safe and efficient transportation programs over those 40+ years. These programs directly benefit, on a regular and recurring basis, residents of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area ranging from new born babies to senior citizens. Bob’s caring leadership has been exemplary in many ways and the legacy that he established and left for the City of Pittsburgh and its residents upon his retirement is unprecedented.”-Alan Balla, former Board Vice President
“Congratulations, Bob, on your retirement. May you enjoy this next phase of your life. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Travelers Aid organization, and the community, as a whole.” -Ashley Johnson, Board Secretary
“Bob had dedicated his career to helping families who are struggling financial to get to and from places they really need to be. This includes transportation to and from Doctors appointments to job interviews that are very important to anyone let alone a family or Mother struggling just to make it in any economy. The region has been blessed to have Bob and his wonderful team at Travelers Aid to continue to not let these people be left behind. This organization is not the same as it was when he started 48 years ago and because of his entrepreneurial skill sets he has morphed this non-profit into a very financially strong organization that will serve the region for years to come. Congratulations Mr. Lindner!” – David Dietrich, Board Member
Thoughts from Staff…
“For nearly
50 years, Bob Lindner has built Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh into a well-oiled
machine and has impacted thousands of lives in the process. He should be
very proud of the great work he has done and the amazing agency he has
engineered. I am humbled and honored to step into very big shoes.
If I can achieve a fraction of what Bob Lindner has in his career, I will
consider it a success. Bob, you will be missed but your legacy
continues! Thanks for everything you have done to build Travelers Aid into
an agency that has impacted so many lives!” – Ryan Capra, new
Executive Director, Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh
“For more than 45 years Bob navigated the changing needs of the Pittsburgh community and their transportation needs. Removing local transportation barriers quickly became a way to help the community and to grow the agency. Travelers Aid will miss your innovative ideas. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement.” – Melissa Katich, Deputy Director
“The strong foundation that has been laid for Travelers Aid is attributed to the dedication and hard work that Robert Lindner has put forth in all his 48 years of service to the agency. His leadership has been admirable as well as inspiring and the agency would not be where it is currently had it not been for him. Thank you for everything Bob! Congratulations on your retirement you have earned it without question!” – Tenisha Ward, Deputy Director
“Your leadership and dedication to Travelers Aid has made a lasting impact on all of us. Our accomplishments are due to your encouragement and motivation – thank you for your guidance, support, and mentorship. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!” – Sara Rae, Senior Program Manager
“To say the very least, Travelers Aid would not be what it is without you Bob. I thank you for everything, always!” – Alisha Thompson, Program Manger
“I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to work under your leadership. Thank you for being a great leader.” – Erin Thomas, Travelers Aid Staff (18 years)
“Wishing My Director Robert Lindner a Happy Retirement you will truly be missed you were truly loved at Travelers Aid I’m going to miss you. Thanks for the 15 years.” – Angela Daniels, Travelers Aid Staff (15 years)
A retrospective of Bob’s career in photos….https://www.facebook.com/TravelersAidPGH/posts/pfbid07noJ38qMFGxhTYc3G2rczctBprt5TN8oYpa74vbCNbunUJopvw9v6Cev84SUgY4hl
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