Duane P. Rubertus

Duane Paal Rubertus passed away on Saturday 30 November 2024 in his sleep. He was 89 years old. Duane was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2016, and is survived by his four children, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren: Oldest son Mark Rubertus (wife Leigh Ann) and daughter Cory; son Scott Rubertus (wife Jenny) with daughter Kristyn Phelps (husband Sam and daughter Niki) and son Matthew (wife Michele); daughter Pam Rubertus; and son Greg Rubertus (wife Margo) with daughter Abby Martin (husband Andrew, son James and daughter Kate), son Jack (wife Emilie), and daughters Rachel and Riley.

Duane was born in 1935 in Marshall, MN to Floyd and Alice Rubertus. He was salutatorian of his high school class, and went on to St. Johns (MN) College where he lettered in football, track, and basketball for the Johnnies. He transferred to the University of Minnesota where he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. During all of his schooling, Duane received A’s in every single class he took. While at UM he met his love Mary Colberg, who was undoubtedly impressed by his Johnnie jacket, as she was finishing her degree in Nursing from St. Catherine’s College in Minneapolis. They married in 1958, and Duane entered the Army for his service time. After 2 years in the Army, with young sons Mark and Scott, Duane and Mary settled in Dayton, OH where he began working as a civilian engineer at Wright-Patterson AFB in what is now the Air Force Research Laboratory. Duane spent 40 years with the Air Force, passionately working on advanced flight control technology and helping pioneer digital fly-by-wire technology which is now widely used in all military and commercial aircraft. He retired from government service in 2000 to enjoy his woodworking shop, traveling with Mary, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Duane was always actively involved in his parish (St Helen’s), sports clubs, coaching, and fixing anything broken. Woodworking gave his creative side an outlet in retirement, and played to his perfectionist nature. A sports enthusiast, he loved attending Bengals football games and Dayton Flyers basketball, and watching everything in between. In his last six years, Duane lived happily with his son and was always surrounded by family. He will always be remembered for his faith, integrity, perseverance, and unselfish nature. Godspeed to this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coach, colleague, and friend.

A memorial visitation for Duane will be held Friday, January 24, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Church of the Incarnation, 7415 Far Hills Ave, Centerville, Ohio 45459. A memorial mass will occur Friday, January 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM. An inurnment will occur Friday, January 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM at Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45409.