Hubert Linenberger, age 48 of Hays, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas, surrounded by friends and family. Hubert was born on May 17, 1978, in Hays, Kansas to Keith Linenberger and Rosie (Braun) Hammerschmidt.
He grew up in Victoria, Kansas, graduating from Victoria High School in 1996. After attending North Central Kansas Technical College, he spent his career in auto body repair. Hubert was the co-owner of Cutting Edge Collision in Hays.
He lived life at full speed. Whether it was racing, painting cars, or simply dreaming about the next project, he had a true need for speed. Going fast wasn’t just something he enjoyed. It was part of who he was.
He was a man who simply knew how to work. It was in his DNA. Early mornings, late nights, weekends, it didn’t matter. He poured himself into every project and never really knew any other way to live. When a big job was finished, he knew how to celebrate. He’d relax with friends at one of his favorite local bars. Those friendships meant a lot to him, and many of those friends remained by his side until the very end.
He was always willing to help someone in need, especially if it involved fixing a car. If you had a problem, he would be there with his tools, his knowledge, and a willingness to lend a hand. That’s just the kind of person he was.
His beloved rescue cat, Shadow, was deeply important to him. Those two could often be found sitting together in the recliner, watching races side by side. He also possessed a level of loyalty that few could understand, especially when it came to the Raiders. Through endless seasons of heartbreak and disappointment, his love for that team never wavered. Year after year, he believed, and year after year, he came back for more.
Music was another passion of his. He loved everything from heavy metal to country. He attended no fewer than twenty Gary Allan concerts, loved Rob Zombie and Jackyl, and maintained a humorous disdain for Luke Bryan, though he reluctantly admitted a few songs were good. If you ever heard a song and wondered who sang it, he could tell you in a second.
He also loved spending evenings at the Horseshoe Bar for karaoke night, but only as a spectator. He wasn’t one to seek the spotlight. He preferred to laugh, listen, and enjoy the company around him.
Even in his free time, he was working on something. Most recently, he refurbished golf cart into a Raider-themed version for getting him around the racetrack. Even his hobbies revolved around speed, racing, and the things he loved.
He was a simple man. He never cared much about flashy things, unless, of course, they went fast. He enjoyed bowling with friends, throwing darts, and competing in the annual bags tournament at HerzogFest. He found joy in the simple things and in the people around him.
More than anything, he will be remembered for his loyalty. Loyalty to his friends, his passions, his cat, his music, his team, and the people he loved. He didn’t seek attention, riches, or recognition. He simply worked hard, loved deeply, and lived life on his own terms.
While we wish we had more time with him, we can all be grateful that he lived exactly as he wanted. Surrounded by friends, fueled by laughter, music, and racing, and always moving forward at full speed.
Hubert is survived by his mother, Rosie (Braun) Hammerschmidt, and stepfather, Gerald, Hays, KS: his father, Keith Linenberger, Victoria, KS; his sister, Janae Linenberger (Matt) Lenexa, KS; his special friend, Rebecca Flora; and many dear friends.
Hubert was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul Irene (Younger) Linenberger and Alvin and Shirley Jean (Weigel) Braun.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 10, 2026, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays with Reverend Troy Miller, Officiating. Inurnment will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Thursday, and from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial payable to: Humane Society of the High Plains or Fort Hays Tech North Central Foundation, for [Automotive Technology] in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left at the guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com