Civil servant Chuck Ruben leaves a finance legacy

 

[October 01, 2020] 

There are some people who enter the world and make a lasting mark. They do something that is memorable or that influences others. It might be spectacular or subtle.

For the Logan County and Hartsburg community, Chuck Ruben was just such a person who went about the business of keeping finances stable in the present and for the future, and we all benefitted from his work.

Solid, hard working, tenacious, even tempered with a kind spirit, those are the attributes that Chuck displayed consistently while doing his best for the people and communities he cared about.

Where he quietly influenced the most lives in recent times, for the better part of the past 20 years, has been as finance chairman of the Logan County Board with two of those years as board chairman.

He served Hartsburg on the school board and was on the bank board as president. He also filled a number of other leadership roles, including several in the agriculture industry.

But where he was most treasured was by his family, as husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.

On the eve of Sunday, August 23rd while on the farm, the place he was most familiar and at home, Chuck quietly left this world unexpectedly.

Many persons in leadership called on Chuck as much as several times a day, whether for short answers or important guidance.

His family and friends, as well as co-board members and department heads, all have felt the sudden void of one who has been so central in their lives.

Here we laud one who gave so richly of himself with comments from a few of those from the community who knew Chuck Ruben.

Ruben was put into the most difficult chairmanship as a freshman county board member, finance. He often credited Rodney White who held the position previously for training him to do the finance work.

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Current Logan County Board Chairman Emily Davenport:

"I still find myself wanting to call or text him whenever I need some advice pertaining to the board. It's still hard to believe he's gone and it really hasn't sunk in yet.

"Chuck was a dedicated public servant for the citizens of Logan County for over twenty years. He was the county's go-to finance person, he kept us on track financially and always had the answers. He could figure out math in his head like no other person I know and that's what made him a wonderful finance chairman.

"It was a privilege to serve as his vice-chair when he was chairman of the entire board and I learned a lot from him.

"I really miss seeing his infamous orange truck parked outside our meeting locations. He definitely left big shoes to fill and I consider myself lucky to have known him."

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JoAnne Marlin worked with Ruben for years as the Logan County Board Secretary:

"It is a huge loss to our county. He will be extremely hard to replace on the County Board. He was a wizard on finances. He had a huge knowledge on many financial matters. He is one of the best and most respected county board members we have had."

My sincere sympathy and prayers to his family and friends and coworkers.

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Ruben served on the Hartsburg State Bank Board and in recent years as president. CEO Tod Nicholls provided a collective sentiment:

The staff and directors of Hartsburg State Bank are deeply saddened by the loss of Chuck Ruben.

"Chuck was a very kind and great leader to us and will be greatly missed......"

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Logan County Treasurer Penny M. Thomas worked closely with Ruben:

"As Treasurer, Chuck and I worked side by side on both finances and the budget. Chuck always had the "numbers" in his head, I don't recall ever seeing him use a calculator. He could remember things, he was our go to person for information, whether it was a purchase, a budget cut, a resolution, I often asked, "Why was it done that way?" He had an answer and was willing to share. He was always just a phone call away or would just stop in to see how things were going or if we needed anything.

"We had many conversations about the things he enjoyed most, his family, finances, farming, cards and guns.

"Chuck could stand his ground when he was right and had the willingness to compromise when needed.

"Chuck was a leader, a teacher and a friend. I feel the board, and the county as a whole, will feel the loss of his experience for years to come."

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In his earlier community service, Ruben served as school board member for the Hartsburg-Emden C.U.S.D. #21 from 1985-1993.

Hartsburg-Emden Superintendent Terry L. Wisniewski has been serving the district going on 10 years. Ruben has left a legacy at the school that Wisniewski sincerely appreciates:

"I met him when dealing with the potential Emden Solar Farm just west of Emden a couple years ago as he served on the Logan County Board.

"Although I only had a few interactions with him, I could tell that he was a really caring individual.

"He was very personable and had genuine love for our school district and Logan County as a whole."

"Memorials were made in Chuck’s name to the Charles Ruben Scholarship Fund for the Hartsburg-Emden School District. We really appreciate the support from the Ruben family and this scholarship will be an extension of his kindness continuing.

"Our deepest condolences to the family for their loss. May Chuck rest in peace and love."

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Jim and Jan Youngquist of Lincoln Daily News and Computer Consulting Associates internet services crossed paths with Ruben and his family in number of ways over the last 30 plus years.

In business, Chuck was creative in finding solutions for CCA to extend consumer desired wireless internet service into unreachable parts of the Hartem area.

As a reporter, Jan most appreciated the forthright, simple answers Chuck gave when asked uncomfortable and difficult questions, "He gave it to me straight even if it might reflect unfavorably on him or the board. He trusted me to handle the information appropriately and not make it look worse."

She also noted the dedication Ruben put into setting a budget. There were years the 'Budget Hearings' that helped to set the budget foundation encompassed dozens of hours in August. Ruben led the finance committee listening to department heads and community groups. He gathered information and boiled it down for the committee and the board to make solid decisions.

Ruben made himself a scholar on Logan County's financial history and the current laws. He researched decisions made by boards and voters over the past fifty years - when the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) was implemented, tax caps, consumer price indexes from year to year; and when boards did not take the allotted amounts, how certain options compounded for an accumulated impact that can not be reversed. He knew where the choice could be lenient to the tax payers benefit and what needed to be kept up, extrapolating past and present figures for the board to make informed decisions.

Ruben also sought creative methods when there was an unanticipated need or opportunity if a large expense would save the county money maybe by avoiding costly repairs, getting a special grant or some other benefit. It required a complex depth of knowledge on dedicated revenue sources, and what funds could be moved with a plan to put the money back later.

He demonstrated hindsight, presence, and foresight at keeping Logan County financially sound even in the worst of times.

He sought what was best for the most people, and he did so humbly at all times.

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People everywhere get fired up and tense about financial matters. When managing $20 million in assets, you can bet there were plenty of challenges and heated discussions between board members and others over the years.

Auditor Andy Lascody worked particularly close with Ruben many years. Lascody made this significant observation about his nature,

“Chuck always had such a calm demeanor about him no matter how turbulent the waters were and put others at ease.”

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Ruben's family cited a quote attributed as written by Rich Barnes that Chuck lived:

“A great person is respectful of other people's feelings and needs but holds his or her position highly and never retreats from negative situations, but only stays in them to make peace.”

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Family tribute to Chuck Ruben

Charles 'Chuck' Earl Ruben obit

[Lincoln Daily News]