Michel René Rubin, 76, went home to the smiling face of Jesus on the snowy morning of Sunday, January 25, 2026, surrounded by his family at their home in Waxhaw, North Carolina. His wife faithfully cared for him for three years in his fight with advanced Parkinson disease.

Michel was born in the village of Sainte-Croix, Switzerland, nestled in the Jura Alps, on August 10, 1949, the son of the late René Rubin and Marie-Louise (née Sueur) Rubin. He told stories about Wednesday afternoon programs for local schoolkids at the Salvation Army, boyhood pranks with his friends, and the kind church organist, Michel Py, who nurtured his love of music. As a teenager, he delivered gasoline on skis to power the lift at a ski lodge.

Michel was a man of the world, interested in art, culture, travel, and current affairs. As a young man, he moved to Paris to chase his dream of studying fine art. There, he chose the life of a broke artist and lived in an apartment long on natural light and short on comfort. For 20 years, he would visit Venice each summer to drink in that city’s rich architecture. His attention to clothes, art research and love for classical music speak to a developed aesthetic sense.

He and his wife Rebecca married in 1994, and their lives quickly became dominated by the noise, activity, and love of two boys. After serving Wycliffe Bible Translators in computer programming in France and the Ivory Coast, the mission brought them to the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

He remained in the Waxhaw area for the rest of his life, always close to the sons he loved. In his final years before disease robbed him of his faculties, Michel tended a vegetable garden, researched his next book, supported his wife at home, and helped his sons enter young adulthood.

He was an academic at heart, perfectly at home imbibing the words from his immense book collection or researching his latest project. Affectionately referred to as “Papa” by his sons, he treasured their company. Family meals usually reached their comedic zenith at the end of one of his oft-told stories, as he struggled to repeat the punchline without laughing himself. He passed his love of Swiss chocolate, classical music, and Mr. Bean down to his children.

In his later years, he gave his life to his heavenly Father, the one who loves Michel first and best. His thirst for the Word of God was unquenchable. The answer was “More” when his wife asked if their evening Scripture reading had satisfied him.

Today, Michel is clothed in his heavenly body animated by the energy of a son glad to be in the presence of his Father.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Rebecca Suzanne (née Klein) Rubin of Waxhaw, N.C.; sons Jean-Samuel Ezra “Johnny” (Lillie) of Alexandria, Virginia and Théodore Alexandre Andre “Théo” of Charlotte, N.C; and sister, Christine Pernoux of Switzerland.

The memorial service will be held at the chapel of Christ Covenant Church, 800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews, NC 28105, on Saturday, February 7 at 12:00 P.M. The family will receive friends beforehand at 11:00 A.M. Guests are encouraged to enter through the church’s south entrance on Fullwood Lane. Michel was laid to rest at Forest Lawn East cemetery in Matthews in a private family service.

The family is grateful for the prayers, meals, kind words, and support from friends during this difficult time. If you would like to make a donation in Michel’s name, please contribute to VIA Health Partners or Samaritan’s Purse.  You may click or tap on either organization's name to donate.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave. Monroe, NC 28112, is honored to be entrusted to care for the Rubin Family.