Former Central Okanagan school district superintendent, Ron Rubadeau, died last week at the age of 73.

Image Credit: Submitted/Rubadeau family

The deaths of prominent distinguished citizens are always marked by accolades about their accomplishments for things like politics, business or the arts.

But it’s rare to get an insight into who that person was and what a powerful influence they had on those who knew them.

Ron Rubadeau, former superintendent of the Central Okanagan school district was just such a person, as expressed by his family in his obituary and the dozens of accolades posted by those who loved him.

He died on Aug. 3 at the age of 73 after struggling with health issues for a dozen years.

“He was a truly remarkable person who had the ability to empower people with his big heart, quick mind and often 'left field' dialogue that would make me smile,” Sam Carlsson posted.

“It is with great sadness to hear about the passing of our 'Fearless Leader - Rub-a-Dub,' Jody Kirschner wrote. “He was a kind and funny man. I called him a walking encyclopedia! He knew something about everything! He dressed in costumes and sang songs at retirement events.”

He was a bass player, active in community theatre, set a Guinness World Record, “wore costumes to raucous parties and he reworked song lyrics, both intentionally and because he couldn’t remember the words,” his obituary states.

But he was also a serious boss and educator who had a profound effect on those around him.

“He saved me when he recognized that I wasn’t an hysterical mother but a fierce advocate for my youngest son,” former school trustee Janis Thompson wrote. “My years as a school trustee were only 'fun' because of 'the Doctor.’”

“As my boss at the school board office, Ron was always kind and thoughtful,” his long-time secretary Marion Stolze wrote. “In all those years, there was never a dull day! He made us laugh and encouraged us as much as he worked us hard and challenged us. He was always at least one step ahead of everyone and everything.”

He grew up in places like San Francisco and small college towns in Washington, Montana and Ohio where he as a solid C student in grade school.

“He wore Buddy Holly glasses, wingtip shoes and a flat-top hairstyle cut by his mom,” the obituary says.

In the 1960s he played double bass in smoky jazz clubs on Saturday nights in New York city where he met his wife, Donna, before moving to B.C. in the 1970s.

Ron Rubadeau was a bass player most of his life.

Image Credit: Submitted/Rubadeau family

He started his educational career as a teacher and later worked his way up into supervisory positions in the Central Okanagan, starting in 1977. He served as superintendent for the final decade of his career before he retired in 2006.

But he did so much more than lead on the educational front.

“Ron spoke at podiums, in news studios, in classrooms, on long car trips, at the dinner table,” the obituary says. “He quizzed listeners and listed off trivia items his children affectionately dubbed ‘Stupid Amazing Facts.’

“He lamented numbskulls: dingdong pedestrians who ambled down the sidewalk four abreast, dumb*ss analysts who conflated correlation and causation. He expressed admiration: for musicians who nailed hot riffs and bands that were tight; for innovators; for underdogs; for clever witticisms by late-night hosts.”

He was also a founding member of the Central Okanagan Small Boat Association, organized sailing regattas and became an international race officer.

“He rescued stranded boaters and drowning swimmers from a stormy Okanagan Lake,” the obituary says. “He built programs that inspired: school assessment programs and student achievement programs, learn-to-sail and adaptive sailing programs. He built a dynasty of sailors. He built things out of wood: decks and docks, playhouses, rocking horses. He built up networks: of friends and colleagues; of mentees, teachers, and administrators; of coaches and race directors; of musicians.”

In 2005, following the devastating 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire, he organized 22,000 students to replant the forests, setting a Guinness World Record for planting the most trees at one time.

In 2008 he chaired the B.C. Summer Games in Kelowna.

“He loaded his beloved bass into the pick-up truck and played in community theatre productions, with choral groups, at the hospital, in care homes and at Hospice House where he, too, would eventually reside,” his obituary read.

And, despite health issues, he was active in the community almost to the end.

“I will always remember him as the bass player in so many Theatre Kelowna shows,” Jayne Brooks wrote. “He had the ability to crack a joke and cut through the tension no matter how tense the situation might have been – and his humour was exactly what was needed. And right up until pre-COVID he was still playing bass for our Christmas concerts at St. Paul’s.”

No service is being held for Rubadeau.

“To honour Ron’s memory, in lieu of flowers, a donation in his name to the Okanagan Humane Society or another charity of your choice would be appreciated,” the obituary says. “At Ron’s request, there will be no public service. Instead, pour yourself a cold one and think of him.”

Rubadeau family was a founding member of the Centra Okanagan Small Boats Association and an international race officer.

Image Credit: Submitted/Rubadeau family

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