Gary Michael Rubus ’67

Gary Michael Rubus ’67 of Edgewood, New Mexico, died on January 31, 2019. Gary came to the College from Banning, California, majored in Russian language and literature and was a brother of Psi Upsilon and a member of the Green Key Society. He played football and goalie on the lacrosse team and upon graduation received his commission as a distinguished military graduate of the Air Force ROTC program. Gary qualified as an F-4 aircraft commander directly from pilot training and began a long career in fighter operations and testing with an extended combat tour (375 missions) in Southeast Asia. He retired in 1998 as a U.S. Air Force brigadier general. In 1989 he earned a master of arts in national security strategy and went on to serve as air attaché to the Soviet Union and defense attaché to the Russian Federation, followed by a posting to the joint staff as deputy director for international negotiations, strategic plans, and policy directorate. Gary’s service awards included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Purple Heart. In 1972 his was the last U.S. Air Force fighter-on-fighter aerial victory with a cannon. After his retirement from the Air Force, Gary worked for Lockheed Martin and continued flying as a competition sailplane pilot in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earning the rare Gold Badge with three Diamonds. Gary is survived by his former wife, Karen, and daughter Lindsey.