He is gone.
A man who never held public office, never was prominent in commerce, never accumulated the most remote form of wealth but rose to the perch of being one of Culver City’s best known citizens through sheer will, Ken Ruben died at 10:40 this morning at Los Angeles Community Hospital.
Alone.
The lifelong bachelor was 72 years old.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 o’clock on Sunday morning, Mt. Olive Cemetery, City of Commerce, off the Garfield Avenue exit of the Santa Ana Freeway.
When a journalist arrived at the East Side hospital, he was informed that “Mr. Ruben expired 10 minutes ago.”
After suffering a disabling stroke on Dec. 30, and lying alone, unnoticed, in his longtime Duquesne Avenue apartment for 2½ days, Mr. Ruben became a tourist as he attempted to recover.
During the past 10 weeks, he has been a patient in 10 different nursing homes or hospitals, three between Sunday evening and Tuesday morning.
An office worker in earlier years, his avocation of avidly pursuing the lore and travel experiences of trains and busses served him magnificently in his retirement years. Wherever he passenger’d by rail or bus wheels throughout California, he encountered friends. These authentic pals, from Sacramento to Los Angeles, joyfully shared their mutual passions and genuinely cared about each other’s welfare.
Even though Mr. Ruben’s last family member died more than 40 years ago, a tightly knit cordon of friends closely monitored his mostly depressing condition the last 2½. Rare was the day he went without a visitor, and perhaps he did not.
In Mr. Ruben’s final days, it scarcely mattered. He was comatose for the last week and a half.
An inveterate observer of and participant in community meetings, especially those with transportation themes, hardly any resident was more quickly recognizable.
His 5-foot-2, 210-pound frame was his most familiar asset, garbed as it routinely was in Mr. Ruben’s beloved trenchcoat and newsboy cap.
Seldom were he and they separated.
When he removed his cap before stepping to the speaker podium, by his eloquence, rich bank of transportation knowledge and his wave blond hair almost always impressed audiences – even those accustomed to his clearly delivered opinions.
Reaction of Kevin Lachoff, chair of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce, was typical of community members this afternoon:
“I am sorry to learn of Ken Ruben’s passing.
“He was always a cheerful and reliable attendee at Historical Society meetings and other local functions.
“He never saw me without asking about my family.”
A newshound, Mr. Ruben was magisterially informed every day. One of his keepers was a transistor radio. He knew the radio shows and schedules as well as he knew his pals’ names.
A borderline natty dresser, he almost always was attired to attend a high-end party or the most casual function.
Unlike some members of his generation, Mr. Ruben was as facile with today’s technology as the most awesome teen.
He owned almost one cell phone for every finger. He texted. He sent and received pictures.
Mr. Ruben was a candidate for the best informed of citizens. He was well known in downtown Los Angeles, where he moved comfortably in MTA circles.
He may have been the only Angeleno who knew every bus schedule in Los Angeles the city and the county.
He knew most of the upper tier of MTA-type executives. They knew him. He may have sat in on, and actively participated in, more meetings than any other Southern Californian.
He was not a passive observer, of meetings or of life.
I thought of Ken as family and talked with him several times a week over the last 40+ years. We were both on the Pacific Railroad Society Board of Directors back in 1969. He was the PRS program chairman for a number of years and did an outstanding job. He went out of his way to attend my husband’s funeral in 2001. He and a friend came to my 70th birthday party in 2008 and Ken gave an eloquent extemporaneous tribute. His departure is a great loss.
Nancy Knapp
Some of us only knew Ken professionally at Rail Events. I’ve seen him mostly at LAUS, sometimes representing SoCaTA when I do events there with Operation Lifesaver and even at the Santa Fe station in San Diego. Ken will be missed by all of his extended family, but we will not forget him and what his commitment to public transit.
Ken was a great friend of the knapps, through whom I met him probably 15 years or so ago. always with a smile, and bubbling with bus or train news. he was a gentle soul, and will be missed.
Ken Ruben was a great man who was truly just an all around good guy who loved life.
He will be missed and I will never forget his unique and intelligent presence. Rest in Peace Mr. Ruben.
-Anton Lazzaro
Ken has been a delight to meet and know on a limited basis. During my term as Chair of LOSSAN, the Pacific Surfliner served intercity rail corridor, he was a regular attendee at our board meetings and always had helpful information. His positive attitude will be very much missed. He was both a gentleman and a positive influence on transportation matters.
His eternal well being is in my prayers.
I didn’t know Ken well but i definitely knew his passion for his hobbies. He was a kind, gentile man who will be missed.
As the longest standing member of the Westside Central Governance Council of Metro: it was always a pleasure to see Ken in the audience and I waited anxiously to hear his comments during “public comment”. Ken was always positive and jovial, even when he had complaints (which were always well taken)Ken’s knowledge of public transit was eclipsed by no one, and he will indeed by missed at our meetings.
Ken was a frequent guest at my then Culver City Restaurant. No, not so much for food, but for conversation. What’s happening in Culver City? Look at how well downtown is coming? Did I tell you about my trip on the Metrolink? His love of a half order of pasta and a meatball twice a week was always my favorite. He enjoyed his life, his friends, and trains. He will be missed in many circles around the county. His train has come to its final destination. RIP Ken.
I knew Ken for over 15 years as a member of the Metrolink and LOSSAN Boards. We also ran across each other at the Rail Collectors Show in Buena Park twice a year. If you did not know him you missed a great character in life. I thought I knew a lot about public transportation if SoCal but Ken knew more.
I will miss him and his knowledge.
RIP Ken
Ken was a wonderful guy and he will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
Ah, Ken, you were a force of nature that was never supposed to stop!
Alas, like the rest of us, you were human and not without limits. Thank you for your cheerfulness, your kindness, and your inspiration to the causes of transportation. You lived a great life, and the world is so much sadder without you.
RIP, Ken–gone but anything but forgotten!
I already miss Ken. I always knew I would miss him when he was gone even though he could be a “little much” at times. I always enjoyed his great sense of humor which was constant; and there was a unique charm to him – different in many ways, but as genuine as you can get. I will miss his great smile and the impish grin that always said “I’m having a great time”. He was almost always having a great time! I admire that.
Ken had an “old school” style and a presence that I found both enjoyably nostalgic and inviting. He personified the word “jovial”. That’s what I will remember about him the most. His jovial nature was always there even when things weren’t going well at times. He brightened many lives with his jovial spirit, including mine.
Rest well, Orange Blossom Special!
I used to be a member of Southern California Transit Advocates and before I moved to Baltimore, I used to see Ken at every transit meeting that was announced and yes indeed he knew his stuff. If you wanted to know how transit was prior to lets say 1960(when I was born) look no further than Ken as he was a walking historian of Southern California transit especially Culver City and Santa Monica. I am very sadden to hear of his passing. He is buried in the same cemetery as my mom and sister and lots of other past friends and family. Mount of Olives is owned by Chabad and they take great care of the cemetery and with this information, I am grateful that Ken is in a wonderful setting. My condolences to all the Ruben family.
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