Vladimir Dubinsky

Dr. Vladimir Dubinsky was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, "take charge" attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Vladimir always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Vladimir was an individual who enjoyed life's challenges.

His parents were Choulim and Anna Doubinski. Vladimir was raised in Ufa, Russia. Always able to express himself well, Vladimir possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Vladimir was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Vladimir was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Vladimir was raised with one sibling. He had one older brother, Leonid. Vladimir had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Vladimir showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Vladimir enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. In his spare time he liked hiking, skiing in the mountains and camping. Vladimir's memorable achievements included winning gold medals in Physics and Math Olympiads and being an honor student.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Vladimir was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite classes in high school were physics, mathematics and classical literature. He will be remembered by classmates for receiving a gold medal for distinguished achievement academic excellence.

When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to Vladimir. Again, his direct, "down to earth" approach served him well. He was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Urals Polytechnic Institute in Sverdlovsk, Russia in 1982. He also pursued graduate school, earning his Ph.D. in Geophysical Engineering from the Moscow Institute of Geophysical Studies in 1990. His favorite courses were philosphy, advanced physics and petroleum engineering. His favorite professor was Dr. Burbulis.

Friends and acquaintances found Vladimir an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Vladimir was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Ramil Salakhov and Azamat Ishmuhametov. Later in life, he became friends with Sergei Litovskih and Vasiliy Dudnikov.

Vladimir was attentive to Zarema's feelings, and he charmed Zarema and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Vladimir was able to bring sharp wit and humor to the relationship.

Very much like a kid himself, Vladimir identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children's personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Vladimir was blessed with two children, one daughter, Dina, and one son, Daniel. Dina reflects his personality in almost every way.

Vladimir was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Vladimir's strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Vladimir was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Vladimir could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was Senior Scientist of Geophysics. He was employed for 18 years with Baker Hughes, Inc.

Vladimir enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were hiking, yoga, traveling and fine arts. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Because he liked to take risks, Vladimir was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Recreational sports included jogging, skiiing and yoga.

Vladimir held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vladimir's natural leadership qualities placed him in consideration for public recognition, earning him accolades for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. Vladimir had numerous patents throughout his career.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Vladimir truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of "live and let live." He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included trips to the South of France, hiking mountains worldwide and visiting small villages in rural Russia.

Vladimir was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Vladimir's favorites was Julie, a dachshund. They were best friends for 13 years.

Vladimir passed away on May 24, 2010 at Houston Hospice in Houston, Texas. Vladimir fought a brave battle against brain cancer for almost 4 years. He is survived by his parents, Choulim and Anna; his wife, Zarema; his children, Dina and Daniel, and his brother, Leonid. Services were held at the Earthman Resthaven Chapel. Vladimir was laid to rest in Earthman Resthaven Cemetary in Houston, Texas.

Vladimir was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Dr. Vladimir Dubinsky.