Farrell Rubenstein
June 15, 2024
FARRELL RUBENSTEIN: Age 94, passed away on June 15, 2024. He leaves behind his loving wife of 68 years, Nancy (Gellman); two children, Judy (David Koff) and Bill (James MacDonald); and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Alison Koff.
Farrell was born in Steubenville, Ohio on March 4, 1930, to Lew and Bluma (Ginsburg) Rubenstein. He was raised with his sister Audrey (Simon) and cousin, Sherwin Bosse. The family moved to Squirrell Hill in 1944, and Farrell graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1948. He matriculated at the University of Michigan, where he was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1952.
After graduating, Farrell returned to Pittsburgh, earning a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Pittsburgh and passing the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant. Farrell then completed a two-year stint in the Army as a non-commissioned officer and Army audit agent. During that time, Farrell met Nancy, who was in school at Chatham College, and they married on December 18,1955, at the old Schenley Hotel in Oakland.
Farrell worked in the accounting profession for 35 years, first with Bachrach, Sanderbeck & Co., then with Touche Ross & Co. after the firms merged in 1970, and then with Deloitte & Touche following the merger of those firms in 1989. He was the managing partner of Touche’s Pittsburgh office, served as a regional managing partner in the national firm, and ultimately spent four years in New York City serving as the national director of tax, the associate managing partner of the firm, and on the firm's national management committee. Farrell was the president of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs and a member of the governing council of the American Institute of CPAs.
Farrell was very active in the Pittsburgh community, especially at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was on the Board of Trustees for 19 years, including a nine-year term as chairman of the Health Sciences Committee, before becoming chairman of the board for three years. Through his work at the University, Farrell was chairman of the board of various local hospitals, including Montefiore, Eye and Ear, and Western Psychiatric, and he was instrumental in the formation of UPMC. Farrell also served as the board chair of the Central Blood Bank and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, as a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and, for many years, as a board member of Giant Eagle. In 2013, Taylor Allderdice recognized Farrell's contributions to the community in electing him to its Hall of Fame. In 2019, the Jewish Federation awarded Farrell its prestigious Emanuel Spector Award, which recognizes individual contributions to local philanthropy, with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation's then-chair stating, "We owe Farrell for our birth, our growth, and our successful existence."
Farrell and Nancy lived in the Park Mansions apartments in Oakland for more than 40 years, splitting their time between there and a second home in Scottsdale, Arizona for several decades; they lived full time in Scottsdale in the past few years. They were lifelong members of Rodef Shalom Congregation.
Farrell was a warm and loving husband, father, and grandfather; an avid tennis player and bicyclist for many years; a great reader, particularly of history; and a lifelong University of Michigan and Pitt sports fan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Farrell's memory can be made to the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh or a charity of the donor's choice. Private burial at West View Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com
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Dear Nancy ,
I lived in Forbes Terrace across the Court from Farrell where he and I grew up. As a teenager I admired him and lost track of him when he moved away. I am so happy that he led such an admirable life of service and to the community . I was in high school with you and married your classmate Jack (Tolochko) Tolbert . My condolences to you and your family. You were so lucky to have been together so many years.
Sincerely
Janet Rintzler Tolbert
By Janet Tolbert - June 19, 2024
Over many years, Farrell was a positive force for our industry. I was happy to see he lived a long life. My sympathies to his family.
By J.J. Bosley - June 19, 2024
My sincerest condolences on the passing of a beloved member of the greater Roth Family.
By Paul Roth - June 19, 2024
Dear Bill, Judy and Mrs. Rubenstein. I
am so sorry to hear this. I have many fond memories of your family from my friendship with Billy during my childhood. I send you heartfelt condolences. Warmly,
Lisa
By Lisa (Berkowitz) Lurie - June 19, 2024
Please accept our deepest sympathy on your loss of Farrell. He was a warm, wonderful person, and a great friend to Pitt. He will be missed.
Hail to Pitt!
Jane and Jim Allred
Scottsdale, Arizona
By Jane and Jim Allred - June 18, 2024
I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family of Farrell Rubenstein. I am aware that he was one of the most highly respected men in the accounting profession in Pittsburgh and I regret that I never had the opportunity to meet him.
By Richard Gordon - June 18, 2024