Leon Rubin, a WW II veteran and past chair of the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, passed away Jan. 1, 2013, in Colorado Springs. He was 92.
Services were held Jan. 6, on what would have been his and wife Kathryns 67th wedding anniversary, at Temple Aaron Cemetery in Trinidad, Colo. Swan Law Funeral Directors made the arrangements.
He was a terrific person who lived a good life that included service to others, son Ron Rubin said. He clothed children who couldnt afford new clothes or shoes for the school year.
He just told the teachers to send the children into our store and pick out what was needed, no questions asked.
Mr. Rubin was born Jan. 2, 1920, in Raton, NM, to Barney and Minnie Rubin.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WW II and flew missions in Europe observing Allied and enemy infantry troop movement.
Recipient of the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with six bronze stars, he was honorably discharged in 1945.
Mr. Rubin married Kathryn Heyman of Albuquerque on Jan. 6, 1946.
He began working in the retail clothing business with his father Barney, who opened a store in Trinidad in 1915.
Leon and Kathryn assumed ownership of the store in 1957 and changed the name to Rubins Family Clothiers. They closed the store in 2011 and retired to Colorado Springs.
Mr. Rubin served on the State of New Mexico Human Rights Commission for several years, having chaired the commission under three governors.
He also was president of the historic Temple Aaron in Trinidad.
Mr. Rubin is survived by his wife Kathryn Rubin; sons Randy (Tami) of Raton and Ron (Karen) of Colorado Springs; brother Irvin (Charlotte) Rubin of Denver; grandchildren Nina, Jill, Ben (Christie) and Daniel (Tammy); great-grandchildren Chana and Avram of Jerusalem; and sister-in-law Barbara Rubin of Tucson.
Contributions may be made to Temple Aaron, 407 S. Maple St., Trinidad, CO 81082.
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