Robert M. Rubin DMD

"I want to join things that are relevant. I want to see the planet work. I'm amazed that man has come so far so fast, and now I want to see that life work better for all people."
These were the opening words in an August, 1980, Virginian-Pilot article profiling Robert M. Rubin, DMD. These beliefs continued to define him for decades before his death on December 29, 2025 at the age of 93.
Robert (Bob) Rubin was born in Massachusetts on Leap Year Day in 1932. He and his twin sister were, famously, the second set of twins born in his family of five children. He graduated from Tufts College and Tufts Dental School, then served for two years as a dentist in the Navy. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, he met his first wife, the late Joan Landauer. They married and had two daughters, Lee Rubin Collins and Elizabeth (Betsy) Rubin Campbell.
After obtaining a Master's degree in Orthodontics at Temple University, Bob returned to Norfolk in 1961 to found an orthodontic practice. Rubin, Hamilton, Karesh, and Shivar expanded to four offices locally plus one in Bermuda for Navy dependents. He had a national reputation for excellence and integrity in dental medicine and research: he was President of the prestigious Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists and held appointments at Temple University and Old Dominion University School of Dental Hygiene. Bob lectured and published widely, including a book and newspaper column for The Virginian-Pilot, "Your Dental Health." Above all, what motivated Bob was the joy of giving children healthy smiles and improved self-esteem.
He carried this philosophy of "making a difference" into his numerous community involvements. Among the many nonprofit boards on which he served and usually chaired were WHRO Public Media, United Way, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Chrysler Museum, Virginia Opera Association, and Ohef Sholom Temple. In 2007, WHRO honored him with the Pioneer Award "for service to the people of Hampton Roads that exemplifies the best of community engagement."
For years, he moderated "Let's Face It," a weekly public affairs radio program where a rabbi, priest, and minister discussed community issues. In his enormous library, you could hardly open a book without an op-ed or letter to the editor that Bob wrote falling out of the pages and fluttering to the floor. He cared deeply about finding solutions to the problems that beset this community and the world and inspired many people to devote their time to the public good.
In 1981, Bob met his wife Judy Speach Rubin and they've been together ever since. They ultimately moved to a strikingly modern home in Ghent, and together they filled it with mid-century modern furniture, art, art glass, and a series of adorable pet dogs, Mitzvah, Snickers, Miss Snoopy, Gracie, and Apollo. Their home became, after Bob's retirement in 1997, the gathering place for their children and grandchildren for celebrations of Thanksgiving and the annual Passover Seder -- which was actually a dramatic play complete with costumes. With eight granddaughters, and a great-granddaughter added in 2024, Bob and Judy reveled in family time, hosting family vacations, going on "geocaching" treasure hunts, playing games, and laughing together. Bob was adored by his family. He loved sharing stories, always emphasizing the importance of engaging in tikkun olam: healing the world.
What could not be healed was Alzheimer's disease, which eventually stole Bob's memory, although not his upbeat spirit and his oft-repeated reminder: "Life is good!" He is survived by the love of his life, Judy, his children, Lee Rubin Collins (Jarrett) of Wellesley, Massachusetts and Betsy Rubin Campbell (Jerry Bee) of Durham, North Carolina, Toni Speach (Tam Lazenby) of Norfolk, and Angelo Speach (Erica) of Virginia Beach, as well as grandchildren Eliza Campbell Dailey (Zack), Victoria Collins (Pranav Nandan), Jordan Campbell, Summer Speach, Nina Collins, Ava Campbell, Eloise Speach, Lucy Speach, and great-granddaughter Skyler Dailey, age 1.
The family wishes to acknowledge the care provided by Kendra of Amedisys Hospice and the staff at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in the final days of Bob's life.
A memorial service will take place at Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11:30 am, with a reception to follow. Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg will officiate. The burial will be private. The family will receive visitors at 1208 Botetourt Gardens in Norfolk on Thursday, January 1 between 4:00 and 7:00 pm, with a short Shiva service at 6:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to WHRO, Ohef Sholom Temple, United Jewish Federation, Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of your choice. If you are moved to follow Bob's example, you may wish to volunteer some time to make a difference in your community.