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Ruben Mendez Obituary
Resident of San Jose
Ruben was born August 30, 1947 in Douglas, AZ, and passed away October 16, 2010, Redwood City, CA. Ruben's death was sudden and left his family and friends stunned.
Ruben was preceded in death by his beloved mother Mary Mendez, father Florentino Mendez and sister Virginia Acosta. Ruben left behind his loving brothers and sisters, Juanita Klagge, Victor Mendez, Amelia Tibbs, Norma Brahe, David Mendez, and Barbara Barnett, nephews and nieces and friends, Felix, Maria, Franco and Giancarlo Errico, and many other friends.
Ruben graduated from Douglas High School in 1965 and earned a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degree at the University of Arizona. Ruben was employed by the City of Tucson after graduating from the U of A. He moved to San Jose, California and was employed by Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. After many years at Stanford University as the Finance Officer of the Law School, he was employed by University of California Davis as the Director of Extended Studies in San Jose, California. In recent years Ruben had a consulting business, College Bound, in which he provided consultation and educational opportunities for college bound high school students. He built a large business and friendship network in California and other states. Ruben spent many hours and days helping others.
Memorial Services will be held at St. Claire Church, 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA at 11:00 a.m. on November 6, 2010 (408) 248-7786. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ruben's favorite charity, Carmelite Monastery, 1000 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara, California 95050.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ruben Mendez
David Gurzenski-Lukes
November 4, 2021
It's hard to believe it's been another year since Ruben's passing. He was a month older than me. He was my best friend in high school. We graduated together in 1965. We learned a lot about life back then, but not much at DHS. He had such a successful career, but more importantly, a wonderful man, whom I will always remember with much fondness.
David Gurzenski-Lukes
Eddie Rios
November 7, 2010
Ruben was a very helpful to the young people of Tucson. He was always raising scholarship monies for all of us. We will miss many of his funny stories of community organizers and local elected officials.
Sister Ann Patrice Remkus, OP
November 7, 2010
Ruben was one of my most creative students. I remember him well, though fifty years have passed. Our contact for the last twenty years has been delightful. He reflected kindness, wit and generous concern for others. May he rest in God's peace and love. S. Ann Patrice, OP
Louellen Meier
November 7, 2010
I will miss Ruben so much. We shared a lot of fun and laughs in school, especially Ms Toland's class. She always reprimanded me as "Loooellen," and Ruben still emailed me this way. This is a sad event for all his classmates. My heartfelt sympathies go to his family. Keep an eye on us from above, Ruben... Love Louellen Whitehead Meier.
Elsa Cisneros
November 5, 2010
I am so sorry Ruben left us so soon. Although we were high school classmates, I got to know him better in recent years through our email correspondence; he offered so much insight and wit... he changed my perspective on a few issues. The world was a better place for having had Ruben in it for 63 years.
Becky McIntyre
November 5, 2010
Ruben was one of our dearest friends. He was our next door neighbor for 15 years. His death at such a young age is distressing, and we will miss him forever.
Arlene Lopez
November 4, 2010
I was so sorry to hear that Ruben died. I met him when we both worked for the City of Tucson many years ago and became friends. His intelligence, kindness and wit left a lasting impresson. We were proud of him when he got the job at Stanford, and City of Tucson lost a valuable employee. Even after we lost contact, I still thought of him because he was such a wonderful person. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Arlene Armenta Lopez
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