Sean Lineaweaver

Sean Lineaweaver, age 53 of Gig Harbor, died on August 31, 2022 following a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Sean grew up on Greenwood Village, Colorado. He attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, earning a BS in Aerospace Engineering in 1991 and a MS in Electrical Engineering in 1994. He moved to Seattle in 1994 to attend the University of Washington with the intention of earning a PhD in Electrical Engineering. Sean was a rocket scientist who decided to become a brain scientist.

His career was devoted to research and innovation with cochlear implants. He was hired at Cochlear Limited in 2003, where he spent much of his career. He defined himself by his work, particularly with “The GA” (genetic algorithm). He wanted to develop technology that ultimately helped people and provided effective interface for clinicians. As a person who understood issues of access, inclusion, and parity, he wanted people who chose cochlear implants to have optimized experiences. He was passionate about work that improved outcomes for patients and the clinicians who served them. He was a prolific developer of intellectual property for Cochlear, filing forty-two patents for his work with machine learning, artificial intelligence, cochlear implant fitting and training, and cochlear implant optimization. He also has the distinction of being listed as an author of a study presented after his retirement. He accomplished all of this while battling unrelenting symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which included constant fatigue, paralysis, depression, processing challenges, and cortical blindness. He was unrelenting and creative in his work ethic and drive. 

Survivors include his wife, Amy, and children, Aidan and Catherine of Gig Harbor, WA; parents, Frank and Mary Ellen Lineaweaver of Canon City, CO and Toni Lineaweaver of Evergreen, CO; brother, Mark (Kim) Lineaweaver of Arvada, CO; parents in-law, Bob and Marianna McClellan of Mountlake Terrace, WA; brother in-law, Matthew (Rachel Richter) McClellan of Concrete, WA; and, special sisters in-law, Katie (Timm) Lovitt of Mukilteo, WA and Annie (Dave) Cheney of Seattle, WA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

No services will be held, as per his request. Remembrances may be made to the Denver Dumb Friends League (www.ddfl.org); the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center (www.mscenter.org/donate); or, Fair Fight (https://fairfight.com).

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