He was a good man. Please accept my condolences.

As my undergraduate mentor and graduate school adviser, Dr. Hubbard always challenged me to find new solutions to existing problems.  His biomechanical design course was critical to my eventual career path in consumer product development as it helped students apply theory and science to true inventions.  More than anything, the most powerful day I ever witnessed was when a wife of a racer called his office to express her gratitude for saving her husband's life in a recent accident.  Dr. Hubbard's work will continue to save lives for many years to come and I am very thankful to have had the chance to learn and develop professionally under a legend in the biomechanics and consumer products world.  Thank you Dr. Hubbard.  

Dear JoAnn, Matt and Cristin,

We are sorry that we cannot be there to share in the celebration of the life of your husband and father today, but we have been holding you in our thoughts and sifting through cherished memories of time spent with such a wonderful, kind and gentle man. Words cannot express the many ways he touched all of us who were fortunate to know him. We send you our heartfelt condolences and love.

Sincerely, 
Linda and Jim Bingen

I was Dr. Hubbard’s first international student. When I crossed the ocean with two suitcases, he became not only my advisor, but also a father figure as well. He took me out for an ice cream, just to celebrate finishing an exam. He reached out to his network, sending me for job interviews, meeting with people. He taught me not only about solving science challenges, but country skiing, too.

His bright smile still lights up my path. Dr. Hubbard, you are dearly missed.

My favorite memory is running the Red Cedar River with Bob on a nice spring day. We planted my truck down by the Lansing Zoo and put in at Ferguson Park off Okemos Road. The river was high and we ran over the dam at MSU: most likely this was the fastest run of this course ever made by MSU Engineering professors. 

Bob and I shared our love of track and canoeing over a long time. We often met with other profs for lunch. Bob and I shared a stairway and I often saw him bounding up to his 4th floor office and lab.  He was a constantly positive person and I don't recall him ever speaking badly about anyone. He went through a couple medical situations shortly before I did and was a very helpful mentor for me. He was also a mentor to a few local kids who needed his caring. 

In between his professional and family trips and medical problems, Bob continued to join us at the "retired MSU engineers lunch" at Coral Gables and AI Fusion. In September he let me drive his new RAV4 around the neighborhood while we talked: he was doing well at that time. I last saw him at lunch in December: he was enthusiastically  joining in conversation, but was not easy to understand.  When the situation arose, he would explain his current condition and never complained about it.  He was on a difficult path, and undeserved. I was saddened to learn that he suddenly left us and I wish the family my regrets and respect. 

My knowledge of Bob was limited to the times when he came to volunteer at Re-Member and attend our banquets.  Looking at his obituaries he was obviously a remarkable (though humble) man with incredible accomplishments to his name, and I am saddened by the fact that I didn't have the opportunity to get to know him better and learn from his wisdom.  What struck me most about him, however, was his strength and conviction and determination to remain involved with the Lakota on Pine Ridge despite his health issues and all he struggled with....nothing short of amazing over the past few years.   He has been a true inspiration to me, and I am truly grateful for knowing him.  Godspeed Bob.  You're flying with the eagles now, right where you belong.  Fly high.

OBITUARY

Robert "Bob" Phillip Hubbard

June 8, 1943 – February 5, 2019

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services