Obituary of Richard B. Ruback

B.A., J.D., M.S., Ph.D.

March 29, 1950 – July 14, 2022

Barry accomplished more during his life than most people can ever hope to accomplish. He was a very loving, generous, interesting and wonderful gentleman who was dearly loved, is already missed and will always be cherished by those of us who remain to share our memories of him.

Barry was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Norman and Mary Piha Ruback. He is survived by his wife, Jasmin and their daughter Miriam, his brothers Albert and Stephen Ruback, and his sister in law Batsheva. His nephew Yonatan, his wife Nechama and their children, Barry's great nephew and niece Nachman Yehoshya and Lia Miriam. His nephew and nieces Rachel, Akiva, Avigayil, Yehuda, and Ariella. His nephew Tamri and his wife Tracey, and his great nephew and nieces Zoe, Aiden, and Isaac.

Barry will be greatly missed by his Aunt Emily Piha Birnbaum and his cousins Rita and Michael Lusk, Larry and Lynne Birnbaum, Steven and Ashley Birnbaum, Meyer Birnbaum and Carolyn Wills, Marilyn Wice, Sarah and Dick Adams, Linda Dennery, Michael Lieberman, Morris Cohen, Janet Wice, Barbara and Alan Levin, Ilene and Mark Goodman, Alan Piha, Michael Piha, Karen Piha, and Jean and Howard Gordon.

Barry once wrote that one of the happiest moments of his life was being admitted to Yale where he met his best friends Beth and Mike Wolak, Bill and Lorraine Elliott, Alan Cohen, Alan Gaby, Bernie Erb, and Nathan Wise. However, the happiest moments of his life were finding and marrying his soulmate, Jasmin Riad and becoming the father of his beautiful, intelligent and charming daughter, Miriam.

Barry's career highlights include Professor of Criminology and Sociology at Penn State University where he loved to teach, write, and mentor students. He was also a Visiting Fellow, National Institute of Justice, a U.S. Supreme Court Fellow assigned to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. He enjoyed his research in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (Fulbright Fellow, Fulbright-Hays Fellow, Indo-American Fellow, South Asia Regional Fulbright Fellow and National Science Foundation). He was also honored with the Tom C. Clark Award. He has numerous scholarly publications and books.

Barry was very dedicated to Congregation Brit Shalom where he served as a board member, Vice-President, President, and Past-President.

Barry enjoyed traveling with Jasmin and Miriam, especially to national parks, monuments, presidential homes and battlefields.

Services will be provided by Congregation Brit Shalom on Monday, July 18 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Congregation Brit Shalom, 620 E Hamilton Ave, State College, PA 16801.