CHARLES RUBINSTEIN

RUBINSTEIN--Charles. Charles Benjamin Rubinstein, 87, died on January 30, 2021. He leaves behind a life well lived and a family who loved him dearly. He had a drive to meet people, travel and learn new things. In his early teens, he joined the merchant marines, and later, after his honorable discharge from the US Army, returned to New York City to finish his education. Rubinstein graduated as a member of the class of 1959 from City College of New York, with a Bachelor's of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) where he received the first Sandor I. Oesterreicher Prize for Excellence in the study of Electrical Engineering. Rubinstein later attended New York University, was a member of the Graduating Class of 1961 earning a Master's in Electrical Engineering. Rubinstein had a long career at Bell Laboratories where he delighted in working with people from around the world. He was a Fellow of the Optical Society of America; held at least nine patents, authored 30 technical publications and was inducted into the IEEE Communications Society in 1973. He ended his career at Lucent. As an avid wine collector and a wine connoisseur, he travelled extensively around the world befriending winery and vineyard owners, wine makers, importers and exporters. These interests led him to become a wine writer for Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits Buying Guide, and The Wine Spectator among others. He penned a weekly wine column for a local New Jersey newspaper, The Two River Times. He was a member of the Wine Media Guild and the Wine Writers Circle, was inducted into the prestigious Commanderie de Bordeaux and was a wine educator at colleges in New Jersey and New York. Rubinstein was active in religious and cultural organizations in every community where he lived. Survived by his wife Phyllis of 63 years, his two daughters Barrie Rubinstein and Mindy Rubinstein, his son Steve, his daughter-in-law Jen and two granddaughters, Skylar and Sophie. A funeral service and burial will be held on Thursday, February 11. The family requests donations be made in Rubinstein's honor to Monmouth Reform Temple Rabbi Discretionary Fund monmouthreformtemple.org The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society give.LLS.org and the Foundation for City College: www.ccny.cuny.edu/giving