All,

Ruben was a good friend who took on an incredible challenge stepping into an intense committee staff job in 2000 when I left the House Science Committee. He was a loyal and capable staffer for Chairman Rohrabacher, and a tireless advocate of Mr. Rohrabacher's agenda for U.S. commercial space leadership.

Like many others, Ruben's name will be written in the stars as humanity slowly-but-steadily expands into the cosmos. I was proud to be just one of his many friends.

- Jim Muncy

I first net Ruben at the Space Station Freedom Program Office in the early 1990s and later got to known him much better as a staffer on the Hill. He was always helpful, cheerful, and pleasant to be around. Indeed, at least, inside my aging brain, the remaining image I will always have of him is one wherein he wears a big, happy smile. I can't say that I know of many people who can ever expect to leave such simple, yet lasting impression upon others.

Ad astra

Of all the people I have worked with on Capitol Hill, Ruben remains one of my all-time favorites.

He was more interested in space policy than space politics. He always provided his unvarnished opinion and let me know exactly where I stood. Whatever goal or initiative was at hand, you could be certain that his only thought was to do the right thing for the nation and for opening the space frontier.

Beyond that, he was a great friend - and I will miss him every day.

Ruben was an outstanding guy who really cared about space. He never had an ego, always worked to find the right answer to problems and was a good friend. He was a first class gentleman and will truly be missed.
-Brendan Curry

I also had the privilege to work with Ruben on the Science Committee. As it has been said, Ruben was always cheerful and smiling. My favorite “Rubenisms” were the humorous stories he would tell us about his dogs during long staff meetings.

He was a good friend and I will miss him dearly.

-Mike

I had the distinct honor of working with Ruben over the years and his honesty and love for the space industry will leave a void in my life. As Republicans and Democrats, let's work together to honor Ruben's life.

But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restor'd and sorrows end.

Ruben was a great guy, and a perceptive and foresighted staffer. He will be missed.

For the past several years, Ruben and I would meet in Union Station for lunch about once a month, to hash over the latest developments in his consulting business. I had known him for the better part of 15 years.

But when I became ill with kidney disease and nearly died in 2007, when I resumed our lunches the tone and tenor of our conversations shifted. Only another patient can truly understand what a patient endures, and Ruben described to me his own battles with kidney ailments and his struggle with heart disease. We became not just colleagues but friends.

Dorinda, Ruben and my fiancee and I double dated with him a few times, and we had Ruben to Easter sunday brunch-where, for two full hours we never spoke once of the space program. In all the years I knew him, not once did I ever hear him raise his voice or express anger. He always sought the positive side of things, and while quite ill himself, never expressed self-pity or complained.

His gentle nature will be sorely missed from this world.

I have lost a good and loyal friend, as we all.

Sleep well, my friend. The trumpet has sounded and you are at peace.

Greetings to all of you,

Thank you for the kind words you have written about my dear Ruben. He was a heck of a man. A real "gentle" man from times gone by. He never raised his voice and always seemed to be in deep thought when you looked at him. I met him first in '94 and found out that he worked in the space industry. That seemed quite odd, but it intrigued me. We met for dinner in Feb. 95 and the rest is history. We became constant companions and soulmates through thick and thin. I will miss Ruben and his discussions on the future of space travel and all of the wonderful friends and colleagues he would mention. Thank you again for being a friend to my life partner, Ruben Van Mitchell, Jr.

Dorinda White

I last saw Ruben a few months ago. It was all too typical of him to say nothing about his physical ailments and to focus on how he might contribute to some pressing issue. At our last meeting, if my memory serves, we discussed the dismal impact of ITAR on the satellite industry and he asked for names of people who might help him better understand the issue. He cared passionately about the future of space commerce but, as someone has already noted, he was more concerned about policy than obsessing over the politics. I will always think of Ruben as a gentle and generous soul. The eloquent expressions of love and friendship posted on this page speak to someone who was a gift to all blessed to have known him. He will be missed.

Ruben was one of the classiest people we'll ever meet. I worked with him on the House Science Committee early in the decade and we saw each other now and then over the last few years. He was a dedicated public servant with a generous personality, a warm smile, and a kind spirit.

I still have a hard time accepting that he's gone and keep thinking we'll run into each other again at some conference or seminar around town. His passing will take a while to sink in, but we'll always have that image of a big grin and a friendly chuckle to remind us of the good man he was.

Smoother sailing, Ruben.

Eric Sterner

The last time I saw Ruben (a few months ago on the Hill), I remember telling him how great he looked -- svelt, smartly dressed, like somebody with a really important place to go. Always the epitome of modesty, he just chuckled and thanked me for the compliment. I also did what I always did with Ruben -- needled him about when he was going to marry that wonderful woman in his life, Dorinda.

In a town rife with cynicism about just about everything, Ruben was a breath of fresh air. He was always quick to congratulate you about a business success and just as quick to offer concern and sage advice about a policy problem. He also had that gift so rare in Washington -- telling it like it is. He was all about the issues and moving the ball forward and not allowing bureaucratic inertia and politics to stymie progress.

Ruben's physical presence will indeed be missed but he will be remembered in a way that will allow his generous and kind spirit to live on with those of us who knew him.

Mark Bitterman
Vienna, VA

I think I first met Ruben while working for Congressman Rohrabacher; at that time Ruben would have been a staffer at the old OCST in the Department of Transportation. I think that was perhaps about 1990 or so. The fact he is now gone is simply gobsmacking. Wasn't it only yesterday we met?

I can only second what everyone else has already said here, and to extend my best wishes, thoughts, and condolences to Dorinda.

Fair winds and a following sea, Ruben.

(And I thought *2008* sucked...)

What a shock this morning to discover these sad news. I have been enjoying every single second of Ruben's friendship, modesty and professionalism during my years as ESA rep in DC. Ruben was a real gentleman and the best colleague. We did spend countless hours talking about international cooperation in space and about the great prospects ahead for Transatlantic activities. We also shared a common passion for music - Ruben I still remember our listing of our 1960's and 1970's favs and will never forget your look of surprise when for the first time you realised that a "European" was so in synch with all these hit songs! I will call on Motown records tonight to look up at the stars and to find you there. Frederic

Hey Ruben, we shared many decussions over the years via of the telephone and east coast/west coast visits, I very much hope that you find peace in the space that you have found in this time. Ruben thanks for the times we shared an the lasting memories. May you rest in peace.

Vernon Williams

Dear Ruben, You were a dear friend. We had so much fun together back in the old "OCST" days, along with all the wonderful Space Policy Division people. Our friendship grew stronger over the years and when my Mother died, you were so comforting. I will miss you but I think that you're feeling better now. Brenda

I would like to talk about Ruben. I am Ervin Mitchell's fiancee. I wasn't able to make it to the service's but I feel as thou I would like to say afew words. I am going to miss him very much. I became very close to him in the last few years. We both have had heart problems and we could talk about them. He asked me for advice and I would tell him what I thought. I knew a lot about the meds he took and how he felf about a lot of things. His brothers are going to miss him very much they are all real close. Ruben always made me feel like part of the family just like Elton and Bobby do. Ruben was a very caring and loving person. He will be missed very much. He is now with his parents who have died before him and he is in a much happier place not having to go thru pain. If you want to get in touch with the Mitchell family you may reach Ervin at 253-301-4064. God bless Ruben. Cindy