Although the Rubin family has chosen to remain very private in this time of great sorrow, we would like to share a little information about the loss of Udo Rubin, father of Gold swimmer Mark Rubin. The BEST family will remain with their family in both thoughts and prayers.
Personal Memo from Wendy Rubin
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It is with unbelievable sorrow and a heavy heart that I inform you that my husband, Udo, lost his six-month very courageous fight with stomach cancer Tuesday morning, December 18th. While our children, Jennifer (23) and Mark (16) and I did everything we could to help him fight this insidious disease and find solace in the fact he no longer has to suffer, we are nonetheless stunned and devastated over our loss. Udo was only 59 years old, very athletic and in great health.
Through preventative, simple procedures such as mammograms and colonoscopies, much headway has been realized in breast and colon cancer. Gastric cancer only becomes symptomatic ‘when it is too late’. Please give serious consideration to undergoing an endoscopy every few years, as well. Early detection is everything and the prognosis for a full recovery is indeed very promising!
A retired lieutenant colonel and fighter pilot in the German Luftwaffe, Udo received a Masters Degree in German Literature at ASU and found new passion in teaching German at Paradise Valley Community College. He didn't just teach the language. He taught global awareness, tolerance of cultural differences, critical thinking and achieving personal success through education and academic excellence. His lectures were very well received. Many of his students of all ages have communicated with me that he was the teacher or individual in all their years who has had the most impact on them. Although very ill, Udo continued to teach until until the beginning of December.
As a tribute to Udo’s legacy, the globally thinking ideals and high standards he instilled in his students, an
Udo Rubin Foreign Language Academic Excellence Scholarship
Has been established at the Paradise Valley Community College. A donation may be made at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. To make a donation, go to http://www.maricopa.edu/resdev/donate.php and select the method by which you wish to donate, or call (480) 731-8407. Remember to reference the Udo Rubin Foreign Language and Academic Excellence Scholarship fund when making your donation. Any amount of donation that would reward an excelling student holding a full-time job to lessen the burden of surmounting student loans would be sincerely appreciated.
I wish you all a truly wonderful holiday season with your families and friends. Too frequently do we forget in the stress of day-to-day life that which is really important and how very precious really every moment is. I can't thank you enough for your collective support, and I look forward to seeing you all again in the new year.
Fondly,
Wendy.
