Search by Name

Search by Name

DON RUBIN

1945 - 2022

DON RUBIN obituary, 1945-2022, Malden, CA

BORN

1945

DIED

2022

DON RUBIN Obituary

RUBIN, Don The Puzzle Man Donald Joel Rubin, one of the world's premier creators of games and puzzles, died of cancer at his home in Santa Rosa, California on April 8, 2022. Don was born April 6, 1945 in Malden, MA. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University's College of Communication. His exceptional career evolved from teaching school in Maine, to serving as a creative consultant, scriptwriter, game designer, photographer, puzzler, research historian, contributing editor and writer. In the late 1980's his creation "The Real Puzzle" was first published in the Boston Phoenix, then The Real Paper, prior to its syndication in over 300 national and international newspapers and magazines through United Features Syndicate. The Real Puzzle generated so much fan mail that the U.S. Post Office gave Don his own zip code. Don became a mini expert in each field that was the focus of the weekly puzzle and attributed his creativity to a "poor diet and lack of sleep." He wrote many books including, "The Real Puzzle Book," "What's the Big Idea," "Those Incredible Puzzles," "Think Tank," "Brainstorms" and "More Brainstorms." His Parking Lot Puzzle has been called "one of the greatest puzzles of all time." As print media gradually began to fade, Don refocused his creative genius on interactive games with original content working as a Senior Game Designer at Shockwave, Firemint, Ringzero Networks, and Electronic Arts. Don was a member of the Screen Writers Guild, with clients including Paramount Pictures, PBS NOVA, several Fortune 500 companies, and educational institutions. Don won numerous awards for editorial design, art direction, television and film design, photography, game design, advertising copywriting, and Web content development. Although Don did not have children, he was an animal lover. At times he cared for many dogs, both his own and friends', bottle-fed a kangaroo, herded and fed cattle on an Australian working ranch, and back at home in Santa Rosa helped with the dogs, cats, chickens and bees. Many friends sought out his keen intellect and insight into everything from current events, arts and cultural trends, to his astute reflections on everyday life. Don was a great fan of Samuel Beckett and could recite, "Waiting for Godot" in its entirety from memory, quoting recently, "I've talked with you about this and that, I explained the twilight, admittedly. But is it enough, that's what tortures me, is it enough?" (Pozzo) Don is survived by his wife, Caroline Judy, the former Director of General Services, County of Sonoma, and his brother, Harvey Rubin. A Celebration of Life event is being planned with details forthcoming. Please consider a donation in Don's name to HIAS at https://www.hias.org

View the online memorial for Don RUBIN

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Apr. 23 to Apr. 24, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for DON RUBIN

Not sure what to say?





5 Entries

Joel Anderson

April 6, 2024

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. Condolences to his family.

Peter Meade

February 22, 2024

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

Frank Weaver

April 26, 2022

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.

Jeff McMeekin

April 24, 2022

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 missions in less than a day. On multiple occasions. That was another big idea.

Incredible sense of humor, sorely missed.

Richard Pfifferling

April 22, 2022

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.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Make a Donation
in DON RUBIN's name

Memorial Events
for DON RUBIN

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support DON's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor DON RUBIN's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more