Robert Rubin Obituary

Rubin, Dr. Robert Howard
March 26, 1941 - March 3, 2013
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Robert worked as an astrophysicist at NASA Space Center in Mountainview, CA. He taught at UCLA, among other schools. He passed away in the hospital in Santa Clara, CA on March 3. He had been fighting advanced cancer. Robert was the brother of local activists Jerry and Martin Rubin. He was the father of four children, Suzanne, Toby, Arthur and Robert and a grandfather.
There will be a celebration of his life for his family and friends in Santa Monica on his birthday, March 26. Please call 310-399-1000 for information.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Mar. 8, 2013.
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Jerry Rubin

Family

March 2, 2024

RIP Dr Rubin. I have a positive memory of your taking your brother Marty and me to a Cleveland Browns vs New York Giants pre-season game at Cleveland Memorial Stadium in 1962.

Fred B. Block

Other

August 2, 2023

Well, it´s now 10 years since Bob´s passing. Today would have been his 82nd birthday. With so many fond memories, I would have loved to have another 10 years plus of memories to add. I have had the good fortune of having two older brothers to influence me, and I am grateful for that. As always, I think of Bobby when I see the stars shine in the night sky, and when I know the answers to so many Jeopardy questions regarding science. I´m now 76; Jerry is 79. Bobby passed away just before his 71st birthday - too soon. With loving memories,
Your youngest brother Marty

MARTIN RUBIN

Family

March 26, 2023

Always our big brother Bobby!

Jerry Rubin

Family

March 3, 2023

Best wishes for continued peace and eternal happiness.

A Ram

Friend

March 2, 2023

Remembering brother Bob lovingly on the 9th anniversary of his passing.

Jerry Rubin

Family

March 2, 2022

Cool guy, many talents!

FRED BLOCK

Acquaintance

March 3, 2021

Dad, wishing you were still here.

Suzanne Rubin Moss

March 5, 2020

Dad, wishing you were still here.

~ Suzanne

March 5, 2020

Seven years on, and Joan and I speak about Bobby fairly often. His influence on me is permanent, as is my brother Jerry's influence. I, as the youngest, was blessed with two great brothers. I am also blessed with my beautiful Joan, who has also been a great influence on me and polished my rough edges. Joan and I will light a memorial candle tonight around 8:30 PM PST. I believe that is when Bob Rubin's spirit commenced, as Fred Block worded it, the "joyful journey in the universe". Bob will have the love of his family and friends with him always.
Love always,
Your brother Marty

Martin Rubin

March 3, 2020

Seven years on, and Joan and I speak about Bobby fairly often. His influence on me is permanent, as is my brother Jerry's influence. I, as the youngest was blessed with two great brothers. I am also blessed with my beautiful Joan, who has also been a great influence on me and polished my rough edges. Joan and I will light a memorial candle tonight around 8:30 PM PST. I believe that is when Bob Rubin's spirit commenced, as Fred Block worded, the "joyful journey in the universe". Bob will have the love of his family and friends with him always.
With loving thoughts,
Brother Marty

March 3, 2020

RIP Rob wishing you the safe and joyful journey in the Universe!

FRED BLOCK

Acquaintance

March 2, 2020

Dear Bob,
It's been 7 years since your passing. May you always rest in peace!
Love,
Brother Jerry

March 2, 2020

May you rest in peace. Though I didn't know you for very long, I still remember you fondly as my first friend in the Bay area when I moved here 8 years ago, and as my son's mentor at NASA - where he found his niche and go-to place under your guidance. Your recommendation letter for him for university and your support of him is something he fondly cherishes to this day as a young adult in the working world. I am ever grateful to you for that, for your friendship and assistance to me when I first moved here, and for having known you.

Arujnee Ram

March 3, 2019

Lovingly remembering brother Bob always.

March 3, 2019

Gone six years
Still just as strong a nebulous emptiness
I have grown to accept and even love this void that I know is you

Martin Rubin

Brother

March 2, 2019

Wow this is incredible, I didn't know he had kids... He was my first mentor in the world of professional astrophysics and there won't be another supervisor quite like him! His recommendation letter is probably the most valuable one I have.

Justin Kader

March 11, 2015

I still visit my older brother Bob's NASA website often to view the "astronomical photo of the day" changing link. I know that his upcoming March 26 birthday will be another special time of reflection, memories, happiness and, of course, sadness. Many thanks to family and friends of Bob for your tributes and support!

March 3, 2014

I would like to share my thoughts on the first anniversary of the death of my older brother Bobby.
It does not seem that a year has already passed. Each and every day throughout the year I find myself thinking about Bobby. My brother Jerry and I called him Bobby.
I often look up to appreciate the beauty of the night sky, and I immediately think of Bobby.
When eating bananas, blueberries or filberts I think of Bobby as these were some of Bobby's favorite foods.
To describe in writing the void I feel would take a poet.
I would love to be able to spend lots of time with Bobby again. Being very busy Bobby, Jerry, and I had to settle for three-way phone conversations. We never missed phone calls on each of our birthdays.
It is difficult to accept that we are now limited to visitations only by memories.
I am very thankful to have so many good memories of Bobby to revisit.

Martin Rubin

March 3, 2014

I'm embarrassed by how late my comment is - I worked for Dr. Rubin last summer. He hired me after one phone conversation and gave me an experience that altered my whole life. Working for NASA is not something any average kid gets to do - he was passionate about breaking borders and gave younger kids a chance to make a difference. I spoke with him several times a day each day of that summer, and my only regret is that we never spoke about personal topics; only science. I would have loved to hear stories of his family and travels - I have only now learned of them through reading comments. He's in a better place now, and I'm so glad that our paths intersected for the small amount of time that it did. Rest in peace, Dr. Rubin.

Adi Foord

November 13, 2013

Bob Rubin joined my group at NASA Ames Research Center in 1983. His theoretical models of ionized gaseous nebulae in the interstellar medium were an extremely valuable tool in interpreting the measurements of far-infrared spectra we were obtaining from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO). For example his models and our data provided the first evidence for the existence of previously unsuspected hot stars near the Galactic Center. Bob was always enthusiastic about his models, consistently excited to include new atomic constants (transition probabilities and collision strengths) to improve their reliability.

For some years after he came to Ames, Bob and I used to run on the Stevens Creek Trail out to the Bay, and on the causeway under the PG&E power towers over the Bay – an exhilarating experience, like running on the water. He liked to talk about sports in general and running and runners in particular. After the KAO was decommissioned in 1995, I saw Bob less frequently, but he usually came to the annual Christmas potluck party at my house. I last saw him at the one on 22 December 2012. He was walking with a cane and seemed quite subdued, but alluded to his health by saying he just didn't feel very well.

Bob will be well remembered by his friends and colleagues at Ames. Many will enjoy the elegant bench provided by his children, which is located under a beautiful large tree next to the Space Science building where his office was. It provides a nice view to the east, overlooking the soccer field, the air field, the hangars beyond, and the distant hills.

Ed Erickson

May 2, 2013

I will miss Bob for a number of reasons. Our productive scientific collaboration over the years (more than 60 research papers/conference proceedings etc since 1986). Being one of the few folks around after hours - coming by to knock on each others' doors or passing in the parking lot when coming or going late at night. The non-work discussions of our various sports teams' chances, the locations of everybody who had visited the Orion Door website in the last year, and the updates on all the trips around the world.

I hope now you are resting in peace.

Sean Colgan

April 23, 2013

Hi Bob: It is unbelievable that you e-mailed me so light-heartedly in September. You said then that you could no longer run a mile and half, as I had been (lately for my health) doing. You said that you were going to China for a short time. The next time I heard about you was when my brothers-in-law informed us that you were dangerously ill. How sad that you are suddenly not here anymore. I loved you so much at one time. We used to sit back-to-back reading all the Russian and French classics (that you had to read for college). You said that sitting back-to-back was great for our postures. I had never heard that before (nor since!). I suspect you found it to be rather cozy. I will miss you, despite the fact that you were often a pain in the neck! Love, Aletta van der Heijden-Rubin, the mother of your four children, Suzanne Jean, Tobey Rigel (who you named of course), Arthur Altair (ditto), and Robert Howard (Robert apparently actually means "star"). PS: I just reread a book of De Maupassant's short stories in the last two weeks, and cried a little, at the memory of our happiness at one time.

April 23, 2013

I first met Bob some thirty years ago, when we were both working at Ames. We briefly shared an office. I had been doing some work on using infrared lines to explore the composition of galaxies, but it was Bob who was harnessing powerful software tools to help do that work best. His contributions to the field were impressive. Bob always had a (sometime wry!) smile on his face, and welcomed any opportunities to chat, whether about work or life. In fact, when I picture him, that's what I see. His knowing smile. We will miss both his work and his spirit.

Dan Lester

April 18, 2013

Like a number of other lucky high school students, I had a wonderful opportunity to work with Dr. Rubin at NASA-Ames. The experience really changed my life, and put me on a path of studying science that I am still following today. Without that initial experience of learning under the patient guidance of a great mentor, I don't think my career would have taken me towards research.

I have very fond memories of Dr. Rubin teaching me how to navigate around UNIX, how to code in C and how to process images of nebulae with ImageJ. Beyond this, though, Dr. Rubin taught me the very basic essentials of research: always write the date whenever you make a note in your research journal, always back up your data, and always grab a cup of coffee before thinking too hard in the morning. It is these small tips that I constantly recall, and which always bring a smile to my face.

I will really miss you Dr. Rubin, but I know that you are in a better place. One where you'll be able to look down and see some of the amazing discoveries about nebulae, space and life that will undoubtably come in the future, and where you may sit proud knowing that you helped contribute to their unravelling.

Roarke Horstmeyer

April 15, 2013

I didn't know Bob very well but he was a kind and patient friend to me. I also noticed his no-nonsense attitude too, as when my attention drifted off-point in conversation. I attended one of his astronomy talks to his colleagues at Ames. I don't know the science nor the math but am inspired anyway. Being acquainted with Bob Rubin has been educational. Bob, the messages in this Guest Book are very touching, and I don't have the words, but maybe in some future life I will. If so, then ciao, until then.

John Lehman

April 15, 2013

Will miss seeing you at Ames, Bob. Thank you for always being so kind and encouraging. What you gave will live on.

Darlene Lim

April 15, 2013

My interactions with Bob were somewhat limited by the fact that he and I pursued somewhat different aspects of some of the same astrophysical problems, but despite that I still remember a number of shared stimulating discussions (usually in the hallway following a chance collision). Bob had an enthusiasm for what he did, and what others around him were doing, that just naturally led to extemporaneous and enjoyable exchanges. I am going to miss those chance hallway collisions.

Scott Sandford

April 15, 2013

Dear Rubin Family,

I work here at NASA Ames and was in Bob's organization for a while. Oddly, we connected most often outside the office, on the stationary bikes at the gym, or just outside, talking about Philadelphia sports teams. He was a comforting reminder of home for me, and a pleasure to spend time with. I am deeply sorry for your loss and I will miss Bob's friendship. He touched many people.

Bernadette Luna

April 15, 2013

Bob was a kind friend and I am thankful for the opportunity, however brief, to get to know him.

Hongyu Sang

April 11, 2013

It was always a pleasure to meet Bob in astronomical conferences and to share with him ideas about our passion.

Christophe Morisset

April 8, 2013

Dear Bob,

Haven't heard from you for a period of time, now I know you must be busy discovering the Orinion Nebula. Remeber the time we suprisinly met in Hong Kong University during the summer time of 2008? I told you this must be ?? which brought us together! I really enjoy the time chatting with you and reading your warm email greetings. You're always so thoughtful, humorous and smart. I still can't believe that you passed away, you haven't visit Taiwan yet! I miss you a lot and you will live in my heart forever with your Orion's collections my dear friend.

Nai-ying Liao

April 8, 2013

Hi Bob, I can't believe that you already left us. You had been a very good landlord and took care of us. The experiment you did with popcorns was interesting. I can't remember how many times you popped the same bowl of popcorns and was proud that some of them still popped each time! Although I was not interested in Thursday night TV show (and you knew I was not) but you still invited me to enjoy the TV show and your previous popcorns. Not to mention that you "encouraged" me to sign on your webpages so you can get red dots on the global map~ My friend now lives near your place and every time I wanted to drop by and said hello but I can't believe it's not possible anymore...

Claire Kui

April 8, 2013

I am the oldest daughter (I turned 50 this year!); the oldest of Dr. Robert Rubin's four children - Suzanne (1962), Tobey (1964), Arthur (1966), and Robert Jr. (1969). It may be interesting to know that my dad gave 2 of his kids a middle name after names of stars! So Tobey's middle name is Rigel, and Arthur's middle name is Altair.

His grand-children are listed here:
Suzanne and Gary ~ Kevin (24), Alaurah (22), and Mariah (12)
Tobey and Tom ~ Garrett (16), Nathan (13), and Isaac (6)
Arthur and Gulnara ~ Martin (7), Aleema and Zarina (2, twins)
Robert and Sandy ~ Keith (5)

It was helpful to be at my father's memorial service at Uncle Jerry and Aunt Marissa's house. I listened to stories told by his friends and fellow astronomers, and his brothers and my aunts. He certainly was a highly respected astronomer! The stories also revealed that he loved adventures, such as flying over Mt. Saint Helen after it erupted! I learned that he went running daily and that he loved the Olympics and that he traveled to China and Australia often for work. I am looking forward to going to the NASA AMES memorial this week and hope to hear many more stories about my father.

~ Suzanne

April 8, 2013

Dear Bob,
I am sorry we did not get a chance to get to know each other better. I am grateful for the time we did get to meet and spend some time when you visited us in Baltimore. You had a very successful career and made many contributions to your field. You will be missed and remembered.

Thomas Tung

April 3, 2013

Working with you at NASA during my last two years in high school was one of the best opportunities I have had. I am very grateful for all I learnt under your mentorship, and am privileged to have known you.

I undoubtedly would not have gotten where I am today without the opportunities that you provided me, and so I owe you an enormous debt of gratitude. My only regret is that I didn't see you again during the few times that I came back Mountain View last year.

Vikram Sivaraja

April 2, 2013

Hearing about my grandfather's passing was very sad news. I remember visiting Grandpa Bob in California a few times when I was younger. We went out to dinner, and although I was a young child, I still remember his dark, black curly hair. The thing I remember the most is how aspirational he was to me. He took my brother and I to visit NASA and I remember thinking I wanted to be a scientist like him one day - and today, as a graduating senior from university I have my Bachelor of Science degree. I will always remember how inspirational my grandfather was to me.

Love,
Alaurah

Alaurah Moss

April 2, 2013

Dear Bob,
You were obviously a highly regarded scientist, as your peers and students have lauded your accomplishments. Your greatest achievemtns, however, are your four children, Suzanne, Tobey, Arthur, and Robert, and your ten grandchildren. Through them, you will truly live on.

Gary Moss

April 1, 2013

March 30, 2013

Dear Bob,

I've known you ever since Barry Turner introduced us when you two were postdocs at NRAO and I was a grad student working on my thesis. Barry said, "You two both work on H II regions - you should know each other."
How right he was - we've had many long and fruitful collaborations ever since! I'm so sorry to know that they're all over, never to continue.
From the Orion Nebula models to the KAO, Spitzer, and most recently SOFIA, with all sorts of high-powered computer systems in between, it's been a great experience. Peace. Jan

Jan Simpson

March 25, 2013

I was very sad to learn of Bob's passing. As a grad student I was aware of his research long before I met him, in particular his much cited 1968 paper that related the properties of nebulae to those of the stars that excite them. I later met Bob at various conferences and eventually joined a collaboration wih him to study the properties of planetary nebulae, as part of which he visited London on several occasions. Bob had many
enthusiasms, for instance I remember him frequently travelling to summer
Olympic venues around the world. Being based at Ames he was naturally heavily involved in airborne astronomy, first with the C-141 Kuiper Airborne Observatory and most recently with the B747 SOFIA observatory. The last time I saw him was at a meeting on planetary nebulae in Tenerife
in July 2011 where he presented some of the first observations obtained by SOFIA. Greatly missed.

Mike Barlow

March 25, 2013

Dear Dad. I remember the time you visited me in Baltimore and gave your grandson a stuffed animal. I also remember you were the first one to learn of my engagement when we stayed with you on the way home from Lake Tahoe. I will hold onto those memories and all of the wonderfull stories others have shared about you. Love Tobey

March 21, 2013

Dear Bob,

You were an amazing mentor for me and the other interns at Ames, and I am so grateful I got the chance to work under your wing for my last two years at high school. I have always enjoyed working with you and wish I had gotten one more chance to see you before you left.

You've left a strong legacy with generations of interns at our school, and we will always remember you. Without a doubt, I would have never gotten where I am now without your help, and I am forever in your debt.

Scott Zhuge

March 18, 2013

Good bye Bob, and thanks for all that you taught me and for sheltering me at Ames when I was there in 2003.

Fondly, Orsola

Orsola De Marco

March 17, 2013

I am greatly saddened by the news of Bob's passing. I first met him at a conference in Hawaii in 2006, but like many other younger astronomers I was already familiar with his pioneering work on nebulae. He hosted me at NASA Ames early last summer and I have very fond memories of that week in sunny Mountain View. His summer students clearly enjoyed spending time around him. We shared stories and I especially appreciated his irreverent humour and no-nonsense attitude! I believe that was reflected in his scientific writings. He was generous with his advice and I looked forward to continue working with him. He will be missed by a great many in the astrophysics community. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Yiannis Tsamis

March 15, 2013

I met Bob forty five years ago, we attended many meetings on gaseous nebulae all over the world and always discussed with him about their mysteries. I was looking forward to work with him on the Orion Nebula, one of his passions.I will miss him.

Manuel Peimbert

March 15, 2013

I had the pleasure of interacting with Bob professionally. I will miss his presence and his comments.

SILVIA TORRES-PEIMBERT

March 15, 2013

Dear Bob,
This is indeed a shock! It is an honour to have met you. I deeply respect your work and role as mentor to the interns at NASA, including my son who always enjoyed working under your guidance. May you rest in peace.

Arujnee Ram

March 15, 2013

Well Bob, I thought I would "retire" before you and almost did 9/2012 but I guess you beat me to it!

Reggie Dufour

March 14, 2013

My condolences go out to the Family of Dr. Robert Rubin, a man who hosted his youngest brother and me when we hitch-hiked from Philly to Cleveland in 1962 when he was at Case University. As I recall he also accompanied Marty and I to Memorial Stadium for a NFL pre-season game between the Browns vs NY Giants. Thank you for the lasting memories of you as a generous man who would make history in your chosen field. Both of Robert's brothers Marty and Jerry have had a considerable impact on my own life. To my friends, Marty and Jerry I am so sorry for your loss. May you both continue to share well lived lives and be fortunate enough to be physically near one another. Your words to celebrate your brother's passing is welcomed and appreciated! Cheers!

Fred B. Block

March 10, 2013

So glad I was able to be in touch with Bob after more then 50 years. Sending my deepest sympathy to his brothers, my dear friends.
Elyse Klinger Bader

March 9, 2013

wonderful Bob,
We didn't appreciate that your next door neighbor for
I don't know how many years was John Coltrane.
For glory in the world of Running, Astronomy, and Intensity, you are our equal!! We miss you.
Eternal Peace.
Albert Kaplan

Albert Kaplan

March 9, 2013

March 9, 2013

March 9, 2013

March 9, 2013

Bob was a good person and a good brother. Every time I'm looking at the stars- especially the constellation Orion- I'll be thinking of Bob.

Jerry Rubin

March 8, 2013

This is your grandchild Nathan who you never met. I read up on some of your work, and I found it amazing. I love physics, and I understood some fraction of what you were studying. It also brought up some questions that I hope to find answers to. I wish I was able to meet you, and you sound like a great guy. I will always remember you for your amazing accomplishments.

Nathan

March 8, 2013

Dear Bobby,
We three brothers have always been a set, and now Jerry and I are two. As a scientist, you would probably conclude that to be a 1/3 loss, but it feels like so much more.
Throughout my life you, as the oldest brother, have been a strong and positive influence on me. As children, growing up in Philadelphia, all three of us would play together by our home and across the street in Fairmont Park. Sometimes with neighborhood friends, sometimes just the three of us. You would invent new games that we could play like " ten seconds"; a game played with a ten-cent pimple ball. Then there was the Wiggles and Chubby Club you and Jerry formed named for our two dogs.
It's not often that one knows what they want to be when they grow up and then they go on to do just that; that being an astronomer.
You taught me some algebra when I was just learning long division in school. What you learned you shared with us. You opened up a world to me by introducing me to hitch-hiking, the only way to see the USA when one's funds are limited.
Bobby, we will always love and miss you very much. My dear older brother, I will continue to look to you for guidance.

Martin Rubin

March 8, 2013

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