NEI Retiree Huss Mourned
Linda Maxsell Huss, former NEI public affairs specialist, died Apr. 11, after a long illness. She was 64.
Huss was a familiar face at NEI for nearly 3 decades, overseeing exhibits, publications, images and photographs. She witnessed NIH’s first computers and the dawn of NIH’s official websites and social media accounts. She retired after 40 years of federal service in 2015.
Huss grew up in Montgomery County and graduated from Albert Einstein High School. She began her federal career in 1975 at the Food and Drug Administration Bureau of Biologics, which at that time was located on the NIH campus. She worked in the Division of Compliance, filling out protocols for new drug applications, and later worked in the Bureau of Biologics Freedom of Information Office. In 1981, she moved to the communications office in the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
In 1987, Huss took a position in the NEI communications office where she spent the last 28 years of her career. Huss developed publications and traveling exhibits to promote NEI-supported research. She and colleagues coordinated photo shoots for the institute using volunteer NEI staff and family members as models. These photos were used for the NEI’s first official website, two traveling exhibits, conference exhibits and publications for patients and the public. The photos were also used extensively by the media and public and professional organizations.
Huss is survived by long-term partner, retired NIH’er David Pair; her mother; a son and daughter-in-law; and many other family members and friends.