A neighbor in Satellite Beach just told me about this, Monday afternoon. Barry Rubel was his name, lived two doors down from me. I am distraught right now, but wanted to share what I know with our surfing community, although I haven’t posted in forever. His wife told me a witness saw him ride a wave this early morning, grab his chest and roll off his board. I guess a few surfers paddled over and helped him to shore. They CPR’d but never got a pulse, neither did ambulance during the 20 minute ride to the hospital. Some folks recognized him and his car, whereby they found out his address to notify his wife.

I’ve only been in this neighborhood for two years, but Barry was always out walking his two dogs in the evenings after work, always willing to chat. The most approachable mellow dude, it was a joy to share the conversations we did. Petty stuff: boat problems, good surf, bad surf, engineering life, etc. He would always greet with a smile and quiet “Hello”. He was super fit, surfed every chance he had. He’d paddle almost every Saturday at Hightower just to get exercise. I’d see him unloading in the morning with his surfboard, tell him I thought it was flat, his response: “It is, but it was a nice morning to stretch out my arms.” He was more active in his 50’s than I am in my 30’s, and definitely was a good dude. Another of our brothers gone too soon.

The family is not sure of funeral arrangements yet, but I told them I would help facilitate a paddle-out for him once they know what their schedule is. We’ll probably do it at Hightower Park in Satellite Beach, this weekend, September  10 or 11. I will post here once I know the details. I do not know how big his surf network was, so if you wanted to send him off properly, you’d be welcome to attend.

I don’t know what it’s like to die, but I imagine I’d want to go out like that.

R.I.P. Barry Rubel

- Brad Evers