The day after we posted our remembrance, a beautifully written obituary was published by The Miami Herald. For more details about Mr. Rubin's life, please read it at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/herald/obituary.aspx?pid=175508867.
We haven't yet been able to locate an online obituary for Melvin A. "Mel" Rubin, who was known to many on our panel as an attorney for more than 40 years and an ADR practitioner since 1985. Mr. Rubin died earlier this week, and we will post more information about his passing and arrangements as it becomes available.
Beyond his impressive resumé -- please see
The Florida Circuit-Civil Mediator Society bio for details -- he made a lasting impression on many UWWM mediators. They recalled:
"Mel was a pioneer member of the Florida Supreme Court Mediation Rules and Policy Committee, a past president of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, an Adjunct Professor of the University of Miami College of Law, and a certified mediation trainer. He gave unstintingly to his profession in both creating Florida's mediation infrastructure as well as teaching the art of mediation at all levels. All this while achieving a national reputation for mediating what may well be the most difficult and troublesome of human disputes - dissolution of marriage and Family Law conflicts. He gave so much more than he took."
-- Lawrence M. "Larry" Watson Jr.
Principal and Founder
Upchurch Watson White & Max
"I am saddened at the loss of this beautiful human being. Mel - over the many years I had the privilege to know him - was a mentor to me and a friend, always eager to share his friendship, humor and good counsel. He will be dearly missed."
-- Samuel L. "Sam" Heller
Mediation Counsel
Upchurch Watson White & Max
"A soul of a prophet!!"
-- Rodney A. Max
Principal
Upchurch Watson White & Max
"He was a terrific, kind guy."
-- Terrence M. "Terry" White
Principal and Founder
Upchurch Watson White & Max
If you also would like to share your remembrance, you are welcome to do so within the comments for this post.
We thank Gary Canner, a former member of our panel who often taught mediation classes with Mr. Rubin, for notifying us of the sad news and reporting that the funeral is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015 at the
Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo, 5900 SW 77th Ave, Miami, Fla. 33143.
"For so many of you who asked, Mel's sister said that donations in memory of Mel Rubin may be made to
Michaelscholzfund.org," Mr. Canner wrote. "Mel was the president of this fund named after his and (his wife) Susan's deceased son."
