HAROLD "BOB" RUBENSTEIN
8/11/20 - 7/3/18
Resident of Piedmont
Harold Rubenstein, commonly known as Bob, died peacefully at his home in Piedmont on July 3 after a short illness. Lillian, his wife of 76 and1/2 years, and members of his immediate family were at his side at the time of his passing.
Bob was the youngest of 6 children born to Kalman and Goldie Rubenstein in Oakland on August 11, 1920. Along with his older sister and four older brothers, Bob was raised on 6th Street in Oakland and attended Oakland Technical High School. While still in high school, he began working with two of his brothers in what eventually became Rubenstein Supply Company, a wholesale plumbing supply business that survives to this day.
In 1939 he met and on December 14, 1941 he married Lillian Cohen. After temporarily leaving Rubenstein Supply to proudly service his country during World War II, Bob returned to the growing business where he continuously worked until his retirement in 2002.
Bob was universally known for his warm and sincere smile, extraordinary sense of humor, personal charm, kind and gracious manner and the class and dignity with which he always carried himself. He was universally well-liked and was as comfortable eating a hot dog at Casper's as he was dining at the finest restaurants in San Francisco. He was a gentleman of the highest order and his great love for this family was equaled only by their love for him.
Bob is survived by Lillian, his cherished and treasured life partner and best friend with whom he was almost always holding hands. He was forever devoted to Lillian and together they shared the deepest, most perfect and loving of relationships for the entire 76-1/2 years of their marriage. He is also survived by his three loving children, Ron (Erica), Craig (Terri) and Barbee (Rick), his 9 grandchildren, Jeff, Tracy, Greg, Lisa, Kim, Brian, Morgan, Mallory and Tim, and his 14 great-grandchildren all of whom adored and will forever miss him.
The family would like to particularly thank Dr. Dean Nickles and caregivers Silvia, Marilou, Jinky and Grace for their devoted and compassionate care during Bob's final illness.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on July 10, 2018 in the chapel at Home of Eternity Cemetery, 5000 Piedmont Avenue in Oakland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's name may be made to the Cancer League, 6114 La Salle Avenue, PMB 534, Oakland, CA 94611.