Gary “Rube” Steven Rubenstein

Gary “Rube” Steven Rubenstein, age 72 of Brentwood, TN, passed away on February 1, 2025, at home with his family by his side. He was born in Newton, MA to the late Willard Rubenstein and Shirley Rubenstein.

Gary received a B.A. from Purdue University in 1973, continuing his education at the Vanderbilt School of Law, obtaining a J.D. in 1977, where he served as the Class Presidentfrom 1976 through 1977. He began clerking for the law firm of Schulman, LeRoy & Bennett, PC in downtown Nashville, TN while attending law school, becoming a partner, and continuing his law practice with this firm until his retirement at the end of 2023, where his practice consisted predominantly of insurance defense, surety bond issues, and landlord/tenant matters, representing various management companies in the Middle Tennessee area. Gary also provided continuing legal education as a lecturer on landlord/tenant issues and real estate law. He continued his love of teaching via a course in business law at the John Gupton College of mortuary in Nashville, TN for over 30 years.

He was an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, Williamson County Bar Association, the John Marshall American Inn of Court, as well as the Tennessee Apartment Association. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his devoted cat, Napoleon. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Deborah Marie Shipp Rubenstein; daughter Rachel (Hilary) Rubenstein Helding; sister, Sara (Stephen) Olsen; nephews, Samuel Olsen and Andrew Olsen; and tolerating cat Coco.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Williamson Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Sara Olsen, Steve Olsen, Sam Olsen, Drew Olsen, Pete Blainey, Betty Zvarich, Paul Grassman, and Emily Flores. . Honorary pallbearers will be The Puffy Muffin Restaurant and Bakery, its owner, Kristi Stone Green, Manager Jenn Anneken, all former and current employees. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Jimmy Fund, www.jimmyfund.org.