Don Joel Rubin

Learned about Don's passing only today, because I was curious what had become of him. I first met Don in person (in the late 70s?) in Boston/Cambridge while touring New England. I had been a devoted fan of The Real Puzzle and his books for quite some time at that point. We had chatted online briefly about a dozen years ago, after I had tracked him down in California. Don's puzzles nurtured in me a lifelong interest in games, puzzles, logic challenges, and so on. Very sorry to read this today....

For a while I was Don's editor at UFS. I enjoyed our exchanges as he was as interesting and challenging in conversation as he was in his puzzles. RIP

The minute I met him 23 years ago in the Boston area, we immediately became friends. A true Renaissance man, he apparently knew everything. We ended up for a too-brief period in Los Angeles as co-workers at an online entertainment startup. As the company slowly went belly-up, we consoled outselves with road trips. He loved showing me around his beloved SoCal; and one of the highlights was a visit to the Huntington in Pasadena. Deepest condolences to his wife, brother, and all who knew him.

Don was a big thinker. He could be a big thinker about little things too. 12/12/12 was a big date, last of its kind for a long time. Don had a big idea. I had a car. We drive to 12th&12th in Oakland. Not a great neighborhood. Don´s got the camera. It´s noon aka 12:00. Wait it might have been 12:12. Or even 12:12:12. Whatever, a picture of the street signs and a date code was all he needed. Published that and the riches followed. Don also holds the record for visiting all the CA...

I met Don in the 1970´s and we were friends right to the end. He was a unique genius with fearless candor and intellectual courage. To others who, like me, cherished his friendship, loved his wit, and appreciated his clever insights ... my heart goes out to you ... because you know what I know. "Don Rubin, they ain´t making any more of that." Period. Full stop.