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Earl Rubis Obituary
Dr. Earl James "Jim" Rubis
August 10, 1945 - September 11, 2025
Jim passed away peacefully in the morning hours of September 11, 2025. During the past three years he faced and fought cancer and was active up until the last few weeks. Jim had an amazing life full of adventure, family, and love, and we are truly blessed that we had the opportunity to share it with him.
Born on August 10, 1945, to Joe and Marge Rubis in Atlanta, Ga., much of his childhood was spent growing up in Arlington, Va., with his brothers, Dave and Glen. He described it as a happy and adventurous time. As a teenager, Jim earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded the Order of the Arrow for exceptional leadership. He won a State Championship in light weight rowing during high school, and continued rowing in college and for the next 40 years, singly or on rowing teams of eight.
He attended West Virginia Wesleyan College 1963-70, then earned a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Medical College of Virginia in 1970. After serving in the US Air Force as a dental officer, he transferred to the Virginia Air National Guard and worked at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Richmond, both of which he remained at until his retirement in 2005. He described his time at the Guard as "wonderful and were some of my happier and rewarding years of my professional life." He wanted to "give back to the men and women who had sacrificed their time and talents, and numerous times more, for their country." He retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jim traveled the world with the Air Guard, supporting our country and helping people in Japan, Panama, Norway, and England. In addition to being a weekend warrior at the Air Guard and working full time at the VA Hospital, he also served as a faculty member at the dental school of MCV instructing students for over 30 years. Starting around 2000, he participated in multiple long-term stays in Barrow, Alaska, near the north pole, providing dental and medical needs to the Inuit community, which was one of the highlights of his career.
As for his private life, Jim married Donna Hall on May 22, 1976, which they celebrated 49 years this past spring. They were blessed by a daughter, Kathryn Tyler "Kati", in 1981. They lived near a lake in Chesterfield County where Jim regularly rowed and took the family out in the Jon Boat to explore. Jim was also an avid golfer his entire life, he built strong friendships and spent many Saturdays enjoying a round either with buddies or with Donna and Kati. In 2000, the family moved to Powhatan County to a beautiful farm they named "Fair Hill" where they cared for a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats. This was one of Jim's favorite places, and he gladly spent many peaceful (and challenging) days managing his farm. Building on his love of nature, Jim became a Master Naturalist in 2018 and established and monitored three blue bird trails at Powhatan State Park. Jim and Donna were once again blessed starting in 2019 with an expanding family: Kati's marriage to Jesse Booth, and later the arrival of their two children, Jack and Josie. Jim and Donna attended St. Mary's Catholic Church regularly for over 15 years and formed many bonds with that community.
Jim had always been a calming presence, down to earth and just, very intelligent, deeply caring, and with a quiet, dry humor that would sneak up and have everyone rolling with laughter. He instilled in those close to him a sense of duty and work ethic, but also deep concern and care for his country, fellow humans, animals, and nature. When considering role models for how one should live life to the fullest with adventures, how to serve the community, and how to love family and friends, Jim excelled in all aspects of this. Though he will be deeply missed, we know his spirit and energy will live on and his family will strive to continue in his footsteps. We love you so much, Jim/ Dad/ Grandpa.
The family will recieve friends on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 12 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Rd., Henrico, VA 23229, following will be a funeral Mass at 1 p.m. with a commital following at Westhampton Memorial Gardens, 10000 Patterson Ave., Richmond, VA 23238.
Woody Funeral Home Parham ROad Chapel
1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229
August 10, 1945 - September 11, 2025
Jim passed away peacefully in the morning hours of September 11, 2025. During the past three years he faced and fought cancer and was active up until the last few weeks. Jim had an amazing life full of adventure, family, and love, and we are truly blessed that we had the opportunity to share it with him.
Born on August 10, 1945, to Joe and Marge Rubis in Atlanta, Ga., much of his childhood was spent growing up in Arlington, Va., with his brothers, Dave and Glen. He described it as a happy and adventurous time. As a teenager, Jim earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded the Order of the Arrow for exceptional leadership. He won a State Championship in light weight rowing during high school, and continued rowing in college and for the next 40 years, singly or on rowing teams of eight.
He attended West Virginia Wesleyan College 1963-70, then earned a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Medical College of Virginia in 1970. After serving in the US Air Force as a dental officer, he transferred to the Virginia Air National Guard and worked at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Richmond, both of which he remained at until his retirement in 2005. He described his time at the Guard as "wonderful and were some of my happier and rewarding years of my professional life." He wanted to "give back to the men and women who had sacrificed their time and talents, and numerous times more, for their country." He retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jim traveled the world with the Air Guard, supporting our country and helping people in Japan, Panama, Norway, and England. In addition to being a weekend warrior at the Air Guard and working full time at the VA Hospital, he also served as a faculty member at the dental school of MCV instructing students for over 30 years. Starting around 2000, he participated in multiple long-term stays in Barrow, Alaska, near the north pole, providing dental and medical needs to the Inuit community, which was one of the highlights of his career.
As for his private life, Jim married Donna Hall on May 22, 1976, which they celebrated 49 years this past spring. They were blessed by a daughter, Kathryn Tyler "Kati", in 1981. They lived near a lake in Chesterfield County where Jim regularly rowed and took the family out in the Jon Boat to explore. Jim was also an avid golfer his entire life, he built strong friendships and spent many Saturdays enjoying a round either with buddies or with Donna and Kati. In 2000, the family moved to Powhatan County to a beautiful farm they named "Fair Hill" where they cared for a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats. This was one of Jim's favorite places, and he gladly spent many peaceful (and challenging) days managing his farm. Building on his love of nature, Jim became a Master Naturalist in 2018 and established and monitored three blue bird trails at Powhatan State Park. Jim and Donna were once again blessed starting in 2019 with an expanding family: Kati's marriage to Jesse Booth, and later the arrival of their two children, Jack and Josie. Jim and Donna attended St. Mary's Catholic Church regularly for over 15 years and formed many bonds with that community.
Jim had always been a calming presence, down to earth and just, very intelligent, deeply caring, and with a quiet, dry humor that would sneak up and have everyone rolling with laughter. He instilled in those close to him a sense of duty and work ethic, but also deep concern and care for his country, fellow humans, animals, and nature. When considering role models for how one should live life to the fullest with adventures, how to serve the community, and how to love family and friends, Jim excelled in all aspects of this. Though he will be deeply missed, we know his spirit and energy will live on and his family will strive to continue in his footsteps. We love you so much, Jim/ Dad/ Grandpa.
The family will recieve friends on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 12 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Rd., Henrico, VA 23229, following will be a funeral Mass at 1 p.m. with a commital following at Westhampton Memorial Gardens, 10000 Patterson Ave., Richmond, VA 23238.
Woody Funeral Home Parham ROad Chapel
1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Sep. 14, 2025.
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