After a four-year valiant fight with a brainstem glioma, Neil Allen Rubnitz left this earth peacefully at home on October 22, 2020. He was born in Milwaukee on December 22, 1947 to Charles “Chuck” and Harriet Rubnitz. His sister Diane arrived two years later.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1970, Neil traveled through Europe. He had the opportunity to go in to international banking in Italy (as he was fluent in Italian back then), but chose to return home and join his father in real estate, and the Atlas Realty Company.

Neil was a real schmoozer, and seemed to know everyone wherever he went, be it downtown Milwaukee, or in random airports around the country. If there could be a byline in the newspaper the title would be “Rubnotes”, as he was in the know about everyone and everything at any given moment.

He met the love of his life Dena (Kravitz) Rubnitz on a blind date, and they were married in July, 1990. Together, they have two beautiful children, Noa Eliora and Jonah Samuel, whom he is so proud of. Neil encouraged them to pursue their dreams (Noa in California, and Jonah at UW-Madison) in spite of his illness, and they are doing that with his blessing. Because of COVID, they also had the gift of being home with him from March until September.

Neil was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Hanna Kravitz (2018), his father Charles (2008), sister Diane Rubnitz Primason (2006), and mother, Harriet (2004).

Neil is survived by his loving wife Dena, daughter Noa, son Jonah, niece Aubrey (Paul) Ebbighausen, nephew Peter (Chelsea) Primason, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dr. Scott (Tamar) Rubinstein, nieces Rachel and Naomi, nephew Jack, and father-in-law Rabbi Leonard Kravitz, as well as countless cousins from Milwaukee and around the country and wonderful friends that are considered family.

A special thanks and gratitude to Dr. Jennifer Connelly and the staff at Froedtert Cancer Center, who allowed Neil to continue to live his life as normally and to the fullest as he could until he couldn’t, despite his diagnosis. We are forever grateful for this gift.

Graveside Funeral Service 1:00 PM, Monday, October 26, 2020 at Greenwood Cemetery 2615 W. Cleveland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215. Masks and social distancing will be expected and appreciated.

https://www.heritagefuneral.com/obituary/neil-allen-rubnitz/