I was just checking the obits in the local paper as I have become prone to do of late. Whew, no one I knew was listed. First time in a few weeks. Very grateful for that. I did take note of two people who passed this past week who were born the same year I was. 1960. A pretty good year; makes it really easy to figure out how old you are since the math is a snap. Anyhoo, I ran across the following listing that I wanted to share with all my loyal fans. (See how I pretend people are actually reading this blog?) Enjoy.

THOMAS RUBICK
P.S. Im Dead by Thomas Rubick This to let you know I died of brain cancer on July 19. Really. I was diagnosed in June, 2008 and have been having an interesting relationship (not one of those heroic battles) with it since.

But finally the cancer won and I died. And because cancers are incredibly stupid, so did it. (Note to scientists: work on a smarter cancer with a broader understanding of the implications of its actions.) Since I wrote this before I died I dont know the details but Im sure my death was inspiring, noble, and loving. Or not. I really dont know. Nor does it matter once youre dead, I suspect.

Im sorry to have left those who loved me so well my whole life: my wife Jeanne Maasch of Eugene; my sister Paulette Johnson of Ventura, California; my mother Patricia Craighead of Oxnard, California, and my truly wonderful children (Jade Rubick, Cody Rubick and Emilie Lamson) and delightful grandchildren (Tony, Sasha, Vivi, and Tina)-all of whom live in Portland.

I love them beyond words and wish them the best. I also have a half-brother, Monte Rubick, in Lake Forest, California. I was also blessed with beautiful and loving friends. More, I realized through this process, than I truly realized.

In fact, there was much that I learned and I feel blessed. I have had a wonderful life. I wish you the same.

The family requests that people donate art supplies to their local elementary school in Thomas Rubick’s name and to contact us for a packet of information for the class.

P.S. In case its mandatory to include the facts: I was born to Patricia and Tony Rubick on March 16, 1948 in Long Beach, California. I received a BA from California State University in Long Beach and a MA from Kent State University. My first wife and the mother of my sons is Donna Sires in Portland. I married Jeanne Maasch in 1989. I lived in Eugene since 1977 and was co-founder of Rubick & Funk Graphic Design. I taught as an adjunct at the University of Oregon for five years and in the Art Department at Lane Community College for 21. Thats about it.