Obituary of Philip Rubins

PHILIP M. RUBINS NOVEMBER 9, 1917- NOVEMBER 9, 2009 DIED ON HIS 92nd BIRTHDAY NISKAYUNA, NEW YORK Born on November 9th 1917, Phil Rubins died on November 9th, 2009. He is remembered lovingly by his wife of 63 years Rheba Rubins, daughter Phyllis Rosenfield, son Peter Rubins, and daughter Nancy Rubins, four grandchildren Jessica Rosenfield, Asa Rosenfield, Benjamin Rubins, and Philip Sky Rubins as well as by many other family members and friends who he knew for his long, full life of 92 years. Born in Oklahoma City to Eastern European Jewish parents he grew up loving music, science, and tennis and was accomplished in all. A trumpet player in his Classen High School and the University of Oklahoma bands, he continued his musical involvement through his late 80's as a member of the "Niskayuna Sockaroos." Phil could be found on the tennis courts until he could barely walk. A life-long believer in the benefits fresh air, exercise, and healthy eating, he was known for always carrying an apple wherever he went. Called to active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1942, he served bravely in the 96th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Phil Rubins was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart in the Battle of Okinawa. Phil Rubins and his family have been active in Jewish organizations in all the many areas in which they lived, including Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, Connecticut, and New York. Phil was president of the B'Nai Brith Lodge in Manchester, Connecticut and Chairman of the Brotherhood-in-Action. In Niskayuna he is a former President of the B'Nai Brith Board; was a creator of the Holocaust Survivor and Friends organization; active on the Congregation Agudat Achim Board, and past president of the synagogue's Men's Club. As a research engineer he was awarded the American Rocket Society "Igniter" award in 1961. In 1963 he was the recipient of the Society of Automotive Engineers "Wright Brothers Medal." His work in supersonic combustion research resulted in over a dozen papers and patents. Some of this work formed the basis of the proposal for a "Tokyo Express" plane for flying at hypersonic speeds into space. His work with gas turbine research led to methods of pollution reduction for gas turbine engines. Services at Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street in Schenectady, NY on Thursday November 12, 2009 at 11:00am. Interment will follow in the Agudat Achim Cemetery in Rotterdam, New York. Donations in his memory may be made to Congregation Agudat Achim, Niskayuna, NY; Ida and David Rubins Scholarship Fund at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, or Listening for a Change, www.listeningforachange.org .