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Remembering Steve Rubin ’74

Stephen E. Rubin ’74, former chairman of the WPI Board of Trustees, a remarkable friend and colleague, dedicated family man, and successful entrepreneur who built one of the nation’s leading industrial automation software companies, died August 28, 2015, at the age of 63, from complications related to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Steve’s battle with ALS inspired many members of the greater WPI community to contribute to research on this as-yet incurable progressive neurodegenerative disease. Many, including WPI president Laurie Leshin, did so by taking part in the national ALS Association ice-bucket challenge on his behalf. One of the first students of the WPI Plan, Steve credited WPI with giving him the project experience that led to his first job and for the skills and confidence he gained that helped him build his entrepreneurial career. “I love WPI,” he said. “It helped me have a complete and successful life.”

“Steve loved WPI and he poured his time, talent, and enormous energy into his alma mater, making this university a better place for all of us. He was genuine, warm, welcoming, caring, giving, approachable, comfortable with who he was, always interested in others, willing to offer help, and always with a smile. He brought joy to those who were fortunate to know him and he made us feel better about ourselves. He will be missed and fondly remembered.”

–Philip B. Ryan ’65, Chairman, WPI Board of Trustees

“Steve was a dedicated alum, advocate, and supporter of WPI, serving as a Trustee for 17 years and as the Board chairman from 2010 to 2013.  His loss will be deeply felt by so many in our community, perhaps most on Founders Day, when Steve would bring his goats to campus.  I cannot claim to have known Steve nearly as well as many in the WPI community.  By the time I joined WPI, he had already lost his ability to speak due to the illness, ALS, which ultimately took his life.  In spite of this limitation in our ability to communicate, I loved my time with Steve.  He was a pioneer in providing philanthropic support for the expansion of our global programs to include new project center sites.  His enthusiasm for WPI was infectious, as was his caring smile.”

–Laurie Leshin, WPI President

We invite members of the WPI community to share their memories and thoughts about Steve Rubin below.