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Dr. James Sherman Ruebel
1945 - 2016
Dr. James Sherman Ruebel
1945 - 2016
Obituary
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James Ruebel Obituary
Yorktown - Dr. James Sherman Ruebel, 71, dean of the Honors College at Ball State University, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2016 in Muncie, IN.
Jim was born on August 18, 1945 in Cincinnati, OH, to George and Violet Ruebel.
He graduated from Finneytown High School in 1963 and then attended Yale University for his undergraduate studies. He completed his Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Cincinnati, earning a Ph.D in Classics and Ancient History, and started an associate professorship at the University of Minnesota. In 1978 he joined the Iowa State University faculty and obtained full professorship. He served as professor of Classics, the departmental executive officer, Classical Studies program chair, and Chair Person of the University Athletic Council.
Dr. Ruebel and his wife, Connie, moved to Muncie, IN in 2000 where he assumed the position of Dean of the Honors College at Ball State University. During his seventeen years at BSU, Dr. Ruebel served as Professor of Classical Studies, Director of the Whitinger Scholars Program and Faculty Athletic Representative to the NCAA and the Mid American Conference.
Dr. Ruebel was a long-standing member of the National Collegiate Honors Council Board and served as President in 2014. While serving as Dean, Dr. Ruebel oversaw the renovation of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball residence into the new home of the Ball State Honors College.
Dr. Ruebel was active in the technology of instruction in Latin and classics. In 1994, he received an American Philological Association Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Classics. Ruebel published articles in Roman history and is the author of Apuleius: The Metamorphoses, Book 1 (Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 2000) and Caesar and the Crisis of the Roman Aristocracy (University of Oklahoma Press, 1994).
Jim was a lifelong teacher and learner, coach and mentor to countless students, as well as a youth and high school baseball coach for over twenty years.
Jim is survived by his wife of fifty years, Connie; son, Matt and his wife, Christy; and granddaughter, Kendall; and son, Jason; grandson, Gage; and Tracie Ruebel; as well as thousands of students, mentees, and close friends and colleagues.
A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Sursa Performance Hall in Ball State University's Music Instruction building (1809 W. Riverside Ave). A reception will follow at the Honors College.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ball State University Honors College, Ball Honors House (BA), room 104, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Andrea (Fritz) Weaver
November 13, 2023
I teach German at a high school in Michigan and was just searching for an image of Dr. Ruebel to put in the slide "Mein Lieblingslehrer ist Herr Ruebel." With his image came the obituary. I am very sorry to learn that Jim passed away, and so long ago. I'm not sure Jim's family will see this, but I wanted them to know how much I appreciated him as a teacher.
I completed a B.A. in Linguistics at ISU and can honestly say that Jim's 400-level Latin courses were the best classes I have ever taken at any level of schooling. In comparison, graduate classes at the University of Michigan were a disappointment.
Dale Rowett
October 7, 2020
I cannot say enough about Jim, being college room mates with Jim for a year. He was such a lovely human being. We once had a person in our dorm, who did something terrible. Another dorm person got in a fight with that person because of this, and Jim and I (both big guys) were able, working together, and to separate the individuals, we having stopped the fight. Thanks Jim. Dale Rowett
Janice Siegel
January 9, 2017
I just now became aware that we have lost Jim. What a shock. The news brings a tear to my eye. I have such very, very fond memories of him from the past two decades. He was always kind, inspiring, supportive, and delightful. He had a tremendous sense of humor about life. I would make sure to connect with him at every meeting I attended because I knew for sure that spending even a few minutes chatting with him would leave me feeling like anything was possible. Sit levis terra...
Dale Rowett
January 7, 2017
I was saddened to see in the Yale Alumni Magazine that Jim die in October. He was a wonderful college roommate and friend. Connie, I remember you as well. When we were freshmen, I think he called you ever Sunday evening, 9:30 if I am not mistaken. He then, of course, went on to be a distinguished college professor.
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October 26, 2016
Wouldn't Jim have loved this year's world series!!!
Hugs and sympathy to the Ruebel family.
Michele Valerie Ronnick
Jan Schneider
October 20, 2016
Dear Connie, I'm so sorry to hear of Jim's death. I have many pleasant memories of working with Jim at ISU and of lots of bridge games, complete with plenty of laughs and even goofiness. Dick and I are thinking of you and your family and send much sympathy and our fondest thoughts.
Leslie Day
October 19, 2016
Jim and I were graduate students together at Cincinnati. I always appreciated his intelligence, sense of proportion, and most of all, his sense of humor. I will miss him! My deepest condolences to all of his sfamily.
Nancy Sultan
October 19, 2016
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was such a great colleague and a delightful person. He will be missed by all of us.
--Nancy Sultan
Daniel Levine
October 18, 2016
Jim Ruebel was my teacher at the University of Minnesota, with whom I first read Livy in Latin. He encouraged me to apply to the University of Cincinnati for graduate school, and always ever after was supportive, positive and helpful. I loved seeing him at conferences with Connie, and loved him dearly. He got an OVATIO from CAMW in 2005. He was always a great supporter of the Classics, and a loyal colleague and friend.
George Sheets
October 18, 2016
Dear Connie, I am so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. He was a fine teacher, scholar, and friend. Janet and I retain fond memories the time our two families spent together in Minnesota and the reciprocal visits after you moved to Ames. We send you and the kids heartfelt condolences.
Martha Payne
October 18, 2016
He will be missed. A strong supporter of the Classics.
Elizabeth Fisher
October 18, 2016
I remember Jim fondly and with admiration from the years we shared as colleagues at the University of Minnesota. I have used his excellent student texts with insightful and provocative notes and once again appreciated him as a distant colleague.
My sincere condolences go to Connie and their children at the loss of this fine husband,bfriend, father, and grandfather.
Bill Magrath
October 16, 2016
I knew Jim to be a very good friend, a brilliant Classicist, an exemplary teacher and an extremely rare example of a college administrator not contaminated by the corporate model Loved by his students, respected by his colleagues, and deeply missed by his friends, he will be long remembered by those fortunate enough to have known him.
Barbara Shailor
October 16, 2016
So many of Jim's friends from graduate school in Cincinnati remember and will continue to remember his keen intelligence, engaging smile, and the wonderful lunches at The Pickle Barrel.
Michelle Gregory
October 14, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. We are sending many prayers to your family.Love, Patrick and michelle Gregory
Gary Noneman
October 13, 2016
So sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Ruebel. His life, work, and thoughtfulness will continue to serve our society through the many young scholars that he mentored throughout his years as a professor, dean, and educator. Our daughter Heidi, her fellow Whitinger Scholars, and all of the other students whose lives he touched are blessed to have had his wisdom, professionalism, and example inspire their lives.
Ashley Estopinal
October 13, 2016
I cannot begin to explain what Dr. Ruebel meant to me, as he did to so many of his students. He always had a way to make me smile, even when I thought there was no way that I could. He was able to believe in me even when I didn't, and use that believe to push me to be better than what I thought I could. The world seems a little darker without him in it, but I am glad to have been able to spend the time with him. I send my deepest condolences to his family and coworkers at BSU. No matter where life may take us, we are still Cardinals.
Thiana Galicia (Rarick)
October 13, 2016
Dr. Ruebel was the first face I saw at Ball State at my Whitinger interview over 10 years ago. From the very beginning I knew BSU would be a positive environment, and I was never disappointed, in large part due to Dr. Ruebel's teaching and running the honors college. He truly believed in and encouraged all his students. He taught me lots of facts over the years, but most importantly, he taught me how to learn, and never stop learning. He will be missed.
Sarah (Fann) Filbert
October 13, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. James was a great man and will be sorely missed.
Bonnie Irwin
October 13, 2016
Jim was a good friend and colleague in the honors community, and I was delighted to be able to share interests in classics and music with him. I cannot help but wonder what he would think of Bob Dylan being compared to Homer by the Nobel committee! I will cherish my fond memories of him at this sad time, and I hope that his family can do the same. You have my deepest condolences.
Paul Dale
October 13, 2016
Jim was a master of the classics as far back as his high school days in the early 60's. He could regale us with not only the lyrics of our favorite tune but the complete info on the flip side of the 45.
Ironically, he harbored an aversion to the dance floor. His favorite quip was "Might as well, can't dance." We were always happy to share the dance floor with Connie in his stead.
Jim has touched thousands more lives since that time. His classmates all join in mourning his passing and celebrating his life.
Our hearts go out to Connie and their family.
Finneytown HS Class of '63.
Holle Custer
October 13, 2016
So very sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Sounds like he had a full wonderful life. My memory is when Connie and Jim got together. So happy they spent so many years together. Love, Holle Fite Custer
Bruce Cosmik
October 13, 2016
Connie and family
So sorry for your loss.
May Jim rest in peace.
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