Obituary: ​​​Vernon John Rubenic

Vernon John Rubenic was born in Oak Park, IL on October 27, 1961. The only son of John Phillip Rubenic and Marilyn Joyce Meuhlenhaupt, they began their time together as a family at 1020 Troost Avenue, Forest Park, IL.

Vern attended St. John's Lutheran Grammar School. He loved Cub Scouts, but his true love was drumming, which he began at an early age. His first two years of high school were at Proviso High School before moving to Wheaton, Il with his mother and step-father, Bernard Pinzur.

Bernard Pinzur, a kind, gentle man, was a very supportive step-father and did whatever he could to have a positive influence in Vern's life. As a family, they enjoyed vacations to the west coast. His family had a home on Washington Island and his love of water and boating began when his mother purchased a 1965 Dunphy. Vern spent many summer vacations on the island boating and water skiing.

Vern's Grandfather, Vernon Gustav Meuhlenhaupt and his grandmother Lillian Rose shared residence between their home on Washington Island and his family home in Wheaton. His Grandfather, Vern, had great influence on his life. Together they did woodworking projects, fishing, gardening and carpentry. His grandfather was loved on the island and never knew a stranger, a gift that Vern inherited.

Vern completed high school at Wheaton-Warrenville South High School where he was an active participant in Show Choir as a resident drummer. One of his fondest high school memories was winning the State show choir competition, and a performance in Washington D.C.

After high school, he spent some time as an apprentice electrician, but ultimately, the sea called his name and he joined the Navy in April 1980 at the age of 19. He was stationed in San Diego for boot camp and participated in the Navy Band until he began his training as an Electronics Technician. Vern was an exemplary sailor. He was deployed on the U.S.S. Fort Snelling. He spent time in the Mediterranean, completed two tours of duty in Beirut, Lebanon, participated in the Invasion of Grenada, and was an instructor at Great Lakes Naval Academy. He received the Humanitarian Service Medal, two Good Conduct Awards, two Navy Unit Commendations, recognition for two Sea Service Deployments, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Commendation from the Commander Sixth Fleet. He was Honorably Discharged on April 16, 1984.

After leaving the Navy, Vern pursued higher education in digital computer systems. During the next 30 years, he became an expert in the field and started his own business, Core Technology Services. He worked as a computer architect for the Chicago Board of Trade, The Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Archipelago, and other clients in the financial world. In 2005, he became a full-time employee for Brocade Communications as a Resident Consultant. As one of the six original members of the Brocade Professional Services Team, his technical expertise and client skills directly contributed to the successful launch of the organization. He was always willing to share his knowledge and mentor new team members, which was crucial as Brocade grew. Vern was a strong consultant and specialized in FICON Mainframe connectivity and FCIP Extension for storage networking. His most recent assignment was for Fidelity Investments. Fidelity relied heavily on his technical expertise and guidance, but it was his engaging personality and steadfast devotion, which made Fidelity consider him a member of their family. Vern was exceptional interfacing with customers, calm when resolving technical challenges, and an outstanding teammate - all values held dear at Brocade. He was a great Brocadian, and he will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.

Vern married Cheryl Erickson on February 2, 1985. His first child, Alexander James Rubenic, born in 1986 graduated from Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Miami, FL and is a chef in Denver, CO. His second marriage was on October 27, 1990 to Shelly Ann Sweet of Bloomington, IL and together they had two daughters. Elisabeth Renee, born in 1994 is a senior at North Central College in Naperville, IL and will be studying Vocal Therapy in graduate school. Lydia Irene, born in 1996 is a sophomore at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN studying music and completing pre-requisites for medical school. His wife, Shelly is completing her Graduate Degree at Trinity Christian College in the field of Counseling Psychology. The family resided in Wheaton, IL from 1990 until moving to Oswego, IL in 2000. He was a beloved husband and father.

Vern was preceded in death by his father, John Phillip Rubenic and his Aunt, JoAnn Wienberg, both of Forest Park, IL.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Dunn Family Funeral Home With Crematory 1801 Douglas Rd Oswego, IL.Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Vernon John Rubenic to the Science Building Fund at Wheaton Academy, 900 Prince Crossing Road, West Chicago, IL 60185 and marked Attention Head of School - Gene Frost.

For additional information www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com or 630-554-3888

photo via Dunn Family Funeral Home