Longtime Denver broadcaster Robert “Bob” Rubin passed away on May 24, 2023. He was 89. A service was held May 25 at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Mr. Rubin’s grandson, Rabbi Samuel Kaye of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Canada, and Mr. Rubin’s son-in-law, Rabbi Steven Kaye. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
The Denver native had a 47-year career in local television and radio, on air and behind the scenes, including 10 years at KOA radio. Mr. Rubin was voted into the Broadcaster Pioneers of Colorado Hall of Fame in 2015.
Born in 1933 to J. Julius and Babe Rubin and the youngest of 13 children, Mr. Rubin grew up on Denver’s East Side, attending Steck Elementary School, Gove Middle School and East High School. He graduated from DU.
Mr. Rubin and his wife Merle met while in AZA and BBG at the JCC on the West Side. They were married at BMH in December, 1953.
After retirement from broadcasting, Mr. Rubin served on the boards for many organizations in the Denver community. He was a member of Temple Sinai.
When asked to characterize Mr. Rubin, his family simply said: “Family first, especially his wife Merle.”
Survivors are Mr. Rubin’s wife Merle; children Michael (Patti Leasure) Rubin and Lori (Rabbi Steve) Kaye; and grandchildren Stephanie, Sam, Alyssa, Caitlin, Matthew and Leena.
Contributions may be made to JFS.
Centenarian and philanthropist Norton Bain passed away on June 3, 2023. He turned 100 on February 24. A service was held June 7 at Sons of Israel Cemetery in Colorado Springs, officiated by Rabbi Iah Pillsbury and Rabbi Anat Moskowitz. Swan-Law Funeral Directors handled the arrangements.
Mr. Bain and his wife, the late Minnie Bain, operated two clothing stores in Colorado Springs, Golden Arrow and Bain’s.
Mr. Bain was a past president of Congregation Beth El in Colorado Springs and was known for his support of Jewish causes, including JNF, JEWISHcolorado and many Jewish summer camps.
Born on February 24, 1923, in Sioux City, Iowa, Mr. Bain attended the University of Iowa before serving in the US Army Air Force during WW II, during which he was a 2nd Lieutenant. He was stationed in Carlsbad, NM, where he met Minnie Schmermann; they were married in Denver after Mr. Bain’s military service and they remained a couple until Mrs. Bain’s passing in May, 2008.
“He was a true mensch that made this world a better place,” Mr. Bain’s family said.
Mr. Bain is survived by two sons, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the One Happy Camper program through JEWISHcolorado.
Jeanne Samuels, publisher of the Jewish Herald-Voice in Houston and longtime friend of the Intermountain Jewish News, passed away on May 12, 2023, at the age of 99.
Mrs. Samuels and her late husband Joe Samuels purchased the Herald-Voice in 1973. At the time, the newspaper was in its 65th year of operation.
“They gave a voice to everyone in the community and unconditionally supported the State of Israel,” the family said.
Mr. Samuels died in 2011. Mrs. Samuels continued ownership of the newspaper. In 2012, at the age of 89, Mrs. Samuels began delivering Meals on Wheels from the JCC.
She worked well into her 90s at the newspaper and was a presence in the offices until the summer of 2022, at age 98.
A native of Casper, Wyo., Mrs. Samuels attended the University of Texas and University of Houston.
“One of her greatest friendships was with Miriam Goldberg,” said Mrs. Samuels’ daughter Vicki, CEO of the Jewish Herald-Voice, referring to the late IJN Editor and Publisher. “I often would overhear my mother on the phone with Miriam, talking business and sharing family news.”
“My mother, along with my dad, unequivocally supported each and all the Jewish institutions in the Greater Houston area and Texas Gulf Coast. The Jewish Herald-Voice’s pages were open to all, to report their news and opinions, regardless of whether their opinions aligned with my parents’ own.”
Said Rabbi Hillel Goldberg, IJN editor and publisher: “Jeanne Samuels exemplified a generation of journalists who understood their work to be a matter of high principle, critical to the welfare of society, yet also had a lot of fun doing it.
“It was the work — but also the relationships and the friendships. Jeanne was both a longtime, dear friend, and a journalistic role model.”
Survivors are sister Gay Vitemb Jacobs; children Marc (Maylee) Samuels, Maurene (Michael) Bencal and Vicki Samuels (Lawrence) Levy; and grandchildren Matt (Kristy) Samuels, Benjamin (Hannah) Samuels, Caroline Samuels, Wendy Waterman, Daniel Waterman, Kimberly Bencal, Amy (Jesse Demartino) Duke, Michael (Colleen) Duke, David (Lan) Duke, Sam Levy and Rebekah Levy.
Contributions may be made to Jewish Children’s Regional Service.
Copyright © 2023 by the Intermountain Jewish News
