Brian Daniel Rubendall
August 12, 1965 ~ April 20, 2020
Brian Daniel Rubendall, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Brian was married to Nancy Schechtman for over 22 years. Additionally, he leaves behind his father and stepmother, two brothers, four sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, step-brothers, step-sisters, and 11 nieces and nephews.
Brian was born in Freeport, Illinois to Larry Lee Rubendall and Barbara Bruesch Rubendall. After graduating Freeport High School, Brian entered the Army and then served in the Illinois Army National Guard for 10 years of military service. During that time he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and graduated magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. He began his career as a criminal investigator for the Housing and Urban Development’s Chicago office before joining the US Department of State’s Office of the Inspector General where he served 24 years and retired as a Special Agent in Charge.
An avid hiker before he became ill, Brian spent his free time volunteering for the Potomac Appalachian Trial Club working on trail maintenance and in their office. After surviving numerous cancer surgeries and treatments, he began volunteering for the American Cancer Society and speaking at events throughout the WMA. The Pancreatic Cancer Purple Stride 5K became an annual event for Brian. In 2013, he ran it while on chemo; in 2014 he walked it 87 days after Whipple surgery; and in 2016, he was asked to be the race’s “survivor speaker”. Brian took pride in proving wrong the prognosis of surviving less than a year after his diagnosis, and instead lived more than seven additional years! In addition to more time with his family and friends, those extra years enabled him to cruise the Panama Canal and see his beloved Nats win the World Series.
Due to Covid-19, there will be no formal memorial at this time. If you would like to make a donation in Brian’s memory, please make it to help others suffering during the current crisis like a local food bank or Small Miracles Cat and Dog Rescue in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Brian was born in Freeport, Illinois to Larry Lee Rubendall and Barbara Bruesch Rubendall. After graduating Freeport High School, Brian entered the Army and then served in the Illinois Army National Guard for 10 years of military service. During that time he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and graduated magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. He began his career as a criminal investigator for the Housing and Urban Development’s Chicago office before joining the US Department of State’s Office of the Inspector General where he served 24 years and retired as a Special Agent in Charge.
An avid hiker before he became ill, Brian spent his free time volunteering for the Potomac Appalachian Trial Club working on trail maintenance and in their office. After surviving numerous cancer surgeries and treatments, he began volunteering for the American Cancer Society and speaking at events throughout the WMA. The Pancreatic Cancer Purple Stride 5K became an annual event for Brian. In 2013, he ran it while on chemo; in 2014 he walked it 87 days after Whipple surgery; and in 2016, he was asked to be the race’s “survivor speaker”. Brian took pride in proving wrong the prognosis of surviving less than a year after his diagnosis, and instead lived more than seven additional years! In addition to more time with his family and friends, those extra years enabled him to cruise the Panama Canal and see his beloved Nats win the World Series.
Due to Covid-19, there will be no formal memorial at this time. If you would like to make a donation in Brian’s memory, please make it to help others suffering during the current crisis like a local food bank or Small Miracles Cat and Dog Rescue in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Dear Rubendall family. This is Susan Brinkmeier LaPat. I am the daughter of David Brinkmeier, Brian’s cousin. My brother John and I were reminiscing about holidays spent at the Breusch’s home. We were very sad to find Brian’s obituary when we searched his name online. Our deepest sympathy goes to the family.
So sad to hear about Brian’s passing. I was his cousin. Fond memories of playing in the basement with him at Aunt Marge’s house on holidays. Rest In Peace Brian.