Richard Patrick Rubens

Richard Patrick (Dick) Rubens, beloved son of John Joseph Rubens and Gertrude Elizabeth Rubens, passed away on January 2, 2025. Richard was born on January 11, 1945, in Hibbing, Minnesota. The family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and then in 1950 settled in Detroit, Michigan. As a child, Richard served as an altar boy and sang in the boys' choir. He also played little league football with the Wish Egan Eagles. He attended St. Raymond Elementary School and De La Salle High School in Detroit. At De La Salle, he participated in several student organizations and was a Drum Major for the marching band. He is fondly remembered by classmates and fellow musicians. After high school, Richard began his career in the U.S. Army Military Police and served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He went on to marry Gail Cousino (1944–2006). He became a Detroit Police Officer in 1966 and eventually worked as a Community Liaison Officer for the Department, forging strong connections with the community. Richard also attended Wayne State University. Later, he held various roles including the Director of Security for Macomb Community College and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Thereafter, he was involved in various business endeavors within the city. His deep appreciation for Detroit and its history led him to several preservation projects, including his volunteer work with the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum, the birthplace of the Ford Model T. He also served as the Past President of the Historic Boston-Edison Neighborhood Association and volunteered with Christ Church and radio station WJZZ. Richard was a board member of the Black United Fund of Michigan, an organization committed to supporting youth in need. The Black United Fund leadership described him as “a key contributor to the Strategic Planning Committee, his insights and leadership left a profound and lasting impact on the organization and the communities it serves.” He had an incredible knowledge of Detroit’s history, particularly its automotive legacy. He loved sharing stories about the city’s past while remaining hopeful for its future. His storytelling, deep sense of community and his singing will be greatly missed. He is survived by his longtime close friend, Patricia Linklater; his sister-in-law, Linda Rubens (John Michael Rubens); his sister, Elizabeth Rubens (Frederic Mackey); and his brother, Thomas Kevin Rubens (Kathleen Herwick-Rubens). He is also survived by his nephews: John Rubens (Jennifer Rubens), Robert Rubens, Gabriel Harp (Arya Degenhardt), Patrick M. Rubens (Katherine Rubens), Cole Rubens and Miles Rubens; and his nieces: Dionna Rubens, Lauren Harp Stoner (Shawn Stoner), Emily A. Rubens (Caleb Dicks), Katelin Rubens and Taylor Rubens. In honor of Richard’s legacy, donations may be made to the Black United Fund of Michigan at https://www.bufmi.org/donate Photo courtesy of the Black United Fund of Michigan.

Richard Patrick Rubens

January 11, 1945 - January 2, 2025