Sol H. Ruben
August 31, 2017

RUBEN, SOL H.: On Thursday, August 31, 2017. Longtime men's clothier Sol H. Ruben will be remembered as a loving family man and a hard worker for numerous non-profit organizations and volunteer organizations. But, most of all, he will be remembered by his friends and former employees as one of Pittsburgh's original "super salesman", a man with an incredible knack for sizing up and meeting every customer's needs. A Columbus, Ohio native born April 1, 1915, he purchased a Brooks Menswear store in 1945 at Fifth and Court Place in downtown Pittsburgh and later renamed his store, Stylebrook Store for Men. Years later, he moved the store to Fifth Ave near Smithfield, and, subsequently, renamed it American Discount Corp. In its incarnation, he carried top men's national name brands at discounted prices. His customers came from as far away as Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio and Washington, D.C., and they even included men working at the White House under President Harry S. Truman. Mr. Ruben once said he had no hobbies, yet his "spare" time was spent by his involvement with a large number of social and charitable organizations. He served as chairman of the board of the Tri-State Zionist Region; president and board member of the Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged (now the Charles Morris Center); board member of Israel Bonds; volunteer with the United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; vice-president, board member, and trustee of the Jewish Assistance Fund; 25-year board member of the Pittsburgh Hearing, Speech and Deaf Services, Inc.; 50 year member and vice president of the Downtown Lions Club; member of the Downtown Businessmen's Association; and member of Rodef Shalom Congregation and its brotherhood. In return for some of his efforts he received the Israel Service Award from the Zionist Organization of America, and in 2001, the Jewish Association on Aging included him as one of the "Eight over 80" whom the group honored for donating his time to its work. In 2011, Mr. Ruben moved to Weinberg Terrace, a personal care home in Squirrel Hill, where he was a member of the food committee. Every morning he awoke promptly at 5:50 am to start his daily exercise regime and have breakfast. He was always on time for any activity and gave his honest opinion about performances. Mr. Ruben was preceded in death by his first wife Florrine Silberstein Ruben, his second wife Ethel Cohen Heller Ruben, his step-son Mark Heller, his step-grandson, Dr. Richard Lehman, his brothers Alvin Ruben and Bernard Ruben, and his brother-in-law, Murray Ebner. He is survived by his two daughters Barbara (June Roy) Ruben of Middletown, CT and Judy (Dr. Barry) Alpert of Pittsburgh; his sister Sylvia Ebner of Columbus, OH; his sisters-in-law Faye Ruben and Florine Ruben of Columbus, OH; his step-daughter Clare Lehman of Scottsdale, AZ; nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Services at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue (at Morewood) on Friday at 12 Noon. Visitation one hour prior to services at Temple (11 AM - 12 Noon) Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. The family suggests that contributions be made to the Sol Ruben Scholarship Fund at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or to The Jewish Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 8197, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

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