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Joseph Rubinfeld Obituary
Oct. 24, 1932 - Dec. 26, 2016
Resident of Danville
Joseph "Dr. Joe" Rubinfeld, a resident of Danville, passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2016, at his home at the age of 84. Joe was born on October 24, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York to Mechel and Mary Rubinfeld. He married his wife and soul mate Loretta Rubinfeld on March 1, 1958.
Joe attended City College of New York before attending Columbia University for graduate school where he earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Over a career that spanned more than 60 years, Joe was instrumental in discoveries that truly changed the world.
Some of his achievements include invention of 10-second Polaroid film and the biodegradable detergent formula used in dishwashing detergents. For saving the Great Lakes with his biodegradable detergent formula, Joe was awarded the Commonwealth Award for Invention in 1985.
Joe was also active in the biotechnology and medical fields. His inventions, including the development of the antibiotics Amoxicillin and Cefadroxil, were directly responsible for saving millions of lives.
While his passion was science and invention, he also had a passion for business. In 1980, he co-founded Amgen, which would become the world's largest biotechnology company. Later in his career, he founded SuperGen, Inc. and then JJ Pharma, Inc. He was active on the corporate and scientific advisory boards of multiple other pharmaceutical companies. He loved working and inventing. He retired once but did not like it because, as he said, "there's only so many times you can go to Hawaii or Europe."
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Loretta; his son Steven and his wife Kathleen of Danville, his daughter Susan and her husband Joseph Iovino of Danville, his daughter Randee and her husband Kevin Rolens of Danville, and his daughter Bonnee. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, his brother Julius Rubinfeld and his wife Leslie, sister Rosalyn Axelrod, and a large and loving extended family.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Thursday, December 29 at 5:00 in the evening at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, December 30 at 10:00 in the morning at Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville. Graveside services will be held at Oakmont Memorial Park immediately following the memorial service.
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Memories and Condolences
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Susan
December 23, 2021
Joe was my lovely cousin. Although I´m 5,000 miles away I miss that he is no longer here.
I have my candle ready to light on the evening of 25th December.
Always thinking of my cousin Loretta with Steven, Susan, Randee and Bonnee with much love.
Randee Rubinfeld-Rolens
January 14, 2020
I can't believe dad it has been 3 years. I miss you so much with each passing day. Sadly not everyone knows you passed away. It's very difficult to tell people who ask me how your doing and want to know what new discoveries you've come up with. They can't believe your gone. I hear the same response from all of them, how you helped so many people and what are we going to do without the brilliant drjoe ?
Dad, your one of a kind and you can never be replaced. The world has lost a true genius.
I love you daddy!
my "Christmas trees."
Pat Dwyer
October 11, 2018
I did not know Dr. Joe personally, but I have benefitted from his work and his products: I received 6 R-CHOP chemotherapy infusions at NorfCal V.A. facilities, spaced 3 weeks apart, in early 2011. After each session, I had to inject my abdomen with Penfilgrastim/Neupogen for 10 days after each infusion. And when I see the dentist at Mare Island, I take 2000mg of Amoxocillin an hour before each procedure. So, THANK YOU, Dr. Rubinfeld. [And if I could wave a wand, I'd nominate you for a Nobel prize.] You have helped me to survive 7-1/2 years of chemotherapy, now 73 and still alive and kicking, thanks to you. I don't believe in miracles, but I do believe in angels, and you are an angel. [Adam Rubinfeld is my Mechanics Bank banker and he told me about Dr. Joe. I will tell Adam how impressed I was by Dr. Joe's life and achievements.]
August 14, 2017
Our deepest sorrow to you and your family Bonnie. I just found out and didn't realize the suffering you are enduring with the loss of your wonderful dad. He always had a great smile and laughter and lived LIFE!!!! He loved his family dearly....He will never be forgotten Bonnie....He made this world a better place with his work and wisdom.
Love, Iris, Eddie, and Alexis- Antioch, CA
Randee Rolens
January 24, 2017
Daddy,
Not a minute goes by that I don't think of you. I love you and miss you so much. One day I will be able to give you a big hug again. You were my angel here on earth and now up above. Please watch over all of us. XXXOOO
Loretta Rubinfeld
January 17, 2017
I will "Love you Forever"
Louise Goldman
December 29, 2016
Always enjoyed conversations with Dr. Joe at Randees house. He was a very kind and generous man with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be sorely missed.
JW-Atlanta
December 29, 2016
I am sorry for your loss. I pray for your comfort and strength at this difficult time
ellen and steve lusthaus
December 29, 2016
we are thinking of you at this difficult time. our sincerest sympathy to julius and the entire rubinfeld family.
ellen and steve lusthaus
Joan Ardizzone
December 29, 2016
My sincerest condolences to the whole Rubinfeld family on your loss.
Joan Ardizzone
jolan dalessio
December 29, 2016
so sorry for the loss of your brother
Jolan
December 29, 2016
Cousin Joe,"Yussie," as we all knew him, was a kind and gentle soul. He was also brilliant. He leaves an amazing, talented, loving, caring, beautiful family to carry on his legacy. We will all miss him so much. We cherish the many times we spent together at various Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations and family get togethers over the years. Rest in Peace. With love, The Las Vegas cousins.
Elise Brownell
December 29, 2016
A titan of the biotechnology world, guided always by his commitment to bringing novel medicines to the patients who need them. I will miss him greatly!
My prayers are with his family as they go through this very difficult time.
Elise Brownell, PhD
Janice Fisher
December 29, 2016
Loretta, Bonnee and Family, we send our condolences to you all and we are so very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Our hearts are with you during this difficult time. Janice & Jessica Fisher Along with the Steven Kent Winery staff.
Sandee Hyde
December 29, 2016
May my uncle's memory forever be a blessing. He will be dearly missed.
December 29, 2016
A man with his mental faculties fully intact when I saw him three days before his death. At our last business meeting he was his creative and innovative self, guiding the discussion with "insider" information dispensed in quantal bits at just the right moments in the discourse. A pragmatic and caring human being.
John Commissiong
Susan Field
December 28, 2016
My cousin Dr Joseph Rubinfeld will be missed beyond words by Susan Field and family in the United Kingdom. Our thoughts are with Loretta, Steven, Susan, Randee, Bonnee and all the family. With much love
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