Andy Rubick Obituary

Rubick
Andy Edward
Rubick
January 25, 1929
February 3, 2023

Andy E. Rubick, the steadfast rock of our family, the man who never seemed to age, the Dad who loved us all unconditionally, died February 3, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He had just celebrated his 94th birthday.
He was born on the family farm in Worth, New York, to Gregor and Rose Rubick, January 25, 1929.
Andy was preceded in death by his wife of almost 58 years, Nellie Rubick, granddaughter Sarah Marietta, his parents, and all of his siblings. He is survived by his daughter Valerie Marietta (Tony), sons Vaughn Rubick (Keri), Van Rubick, and Vern Rubick (Dawn), grandchildren Justin Rubick (Lacey), Tyler Rubick (Brooke), Geoff Rubick (Ashley), Brittany Mutcher (Alex), and Tanner Rubick, as well as several nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
Raised on dairy farms in upstate New York, Andy learned the meaning of hard work early. He received an exceptional education in a one-room schoolhouse, eventually one of only two students. The Air Force was in its infancy when he joined in 1948, leaving New York for the first time in his life on a three-day train ride to basic training. The Air Force needed air traffic controllers and radar specialists, and he grasped the concepts quickly. His first assignment was Kindley AFB, Bermuda, where he was recruited for the rough and tumble base football team. He loved the physicality and the opportunity to travel extensively for games. He met the love of his life, Nellie, at a base-sponsored dance, and they married in 1951, in St Theresa's Cathedral, Hamilton, Bermuda. His career took him around the globe for varied missions, to include: Training South Korean air traffic controllers shortly after the Korean War. Three years in France. Tracking the subtleties of subterranean explosions in the Aleutian Islands. During the Vietnam War, guiding often badly damaged aircraft back across the Laotian border to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, an airbase cloaked in secrecy. And, finally, helping to upgrade the Air Force Academy airfield and tower. He achieved the Air Force's highest enlisted rank, CMSgt (E-9). After retiring from the Air Force with 24 years of service, he went on to serve 17 years as a Federal Civil Servant, supervising the Air Force Academy Parachute Shop, which supported both cadet jump training and the Wings of Blue NCAA parachute team.
Andy lived an exceptional life. He and Nellie raised four children, supporting them in their various sports and activities, most notably the boys' motocross competitions. He went on to cheer his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in volleyball, football, wrestling, baseball, dance performances, and more. Along the way he discovered golf and nothing would ever be the same. He relished playing with his sons and grandsons, bantering with his Men's Group friends, and competing in tournaments. There would never be too much golf. Andy lived and died in the home he and Nellie built in 1972. They covered the walls with photographs and mementoes, celebrated holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, and cheered on the Broncos. Life was good until Nellie suffered a fall, was admitted to the hospital for observation, and never came home. Even in the depths of widowed grief, Dad showed us how to stay strong and find the good in life. He was a gifted conversationalist and storyteller, with an amazing memory for detail. He especially loved telling stories of his farm upbringing and his military assignments and responsibilities, and could carry on a conversation with anyone, instinctively finding a commonality. Dad was easy to like, easy to love. He instilled fortitude in all of us, showed us how to tap inner strength, and inspired us to believe. He taught us how to carry on. And we'll do that, surrounded by his presence. Love you forever, Dad.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter Church, Monument, on Tuesday, February 14, at 10:00 a.m. A Reception at the St. Peter Parish Ministry Center will follow, as will interment at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Junior Golf Camps, Eisenhower Golf Course, 123 Golf Drive, Air Force Academy, CO 80840, a perfect remembrance for one of the course's longest-standing members. To ensure smooth processing, the Club requests that you make your check out to: Eisenhower Golf Club, with "Jr Golf Camps" in the memo; a driver's license number and phone number are required on your check. Thank you for your support of this program. As Dad would say, "There's no such thing as too much golf."