Dennis "Dee" Harold Rubel

Dennis “Dee” Harold Rubel, 68 of Austin passed away peacefully at Round Rock Hospital on Friday, April 24th, 2015 after a 4 1/2 month battle against Pancreatic Cancer. Dee was born on December 7, 1946 in Salem, Oregon but moved to Texas in 1965 after graduating from Stayton High School and joining the US Air force. There he met Florene Hubenthal and they married on July 23, 1966 in Austin Texas where they had two beautiful daughters.

Dee was a business owner for almost 40 years. What started out as Dee’s Tree Service and Lawn Care eventually evolved to become Dee’s Decks and Fences. He, in fact, conducted business up until the day before he passed.

Dee has always been an avid animal lover, having many white German Shepherds and Dachshunds throughout his life. His most recent animals included many stray cats that adopted him and his parakeet, Snowflake, who misses him terribly. He loved collecting coins and stamps when he was younger but his latest collection quest came with the souvenir spoon collection he started in the 80’s; with his most precious spoon being given to him just days ago from his dear friend, Dr. Michael Grad. He loved spending his spare time on the water. Nothing made Dee happier than being out on the ocean fishing for Sharks and Red Fish, etc. in Port Aransas, TX; his favorite fishing spot! If he wasn’t fishing you could bet he was watching the Dallas Cowboys or Seattle Seahawks play during football season. When at home he and his wife, Florene, loved spending time together doing crossword puzzles at every meal; quality time that Florene will miss dearly.

Survivors include his wife, Florene, two daughters, Denise and husband, Jeff Massie of Round Rock, and Dawnyel Luckie and her fiance, Ken Conner of Abilene. He had five beautiful granddaughters (in chronological order), Stefanie Smith, Hailey Luckie, Jennifer Furrow, Kimber Luckie and Nicole Luckie and one great granddaughter, Brooklynne Kennedy, to be born in just few days. He had five step grandsons, Justin, Hunter and Nick Massie and Sean and Johnathan Conner. He is also survived by his oldest brother, Dale and wife Kathleen Rubel, his two sisters, Donna Mae Pikl and Donita and her husband, Joseph Zwolak all residing in Oregon. In addition, he is survived by Charles Mohle, the son he never had; plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents; Harold and Nancy Rubel, and his younger brother, Donald Duane Rubel.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Michael Grad, his cardiologist and friend, the Texas Oncology team, especially Dr. Darren Kocs, and Dr. Quan Dang with Round Rock Hospital and Hospice Compassus and the staff on the Oncology floor.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Austin Humane Society www.austinhumanesociety.org or Pancreatic Research Center at www.pancan.org.

Visitation will be at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks in Pflugerville Monday, April 27th from 6-8pm. Funeral Services will be at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Tuesday, April 28th at 3:30 with a reception directly after from 5-7pm.