A racer, an avid outdoorsman, a sharp-minded (and sharp-tongued) businessman, and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Gary Wayne Roubinek ’63, age 82, of Delaware, Ohio and Naples, Florida, passed peacefully in the company of his family on March 21, 2024.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 3, 1941 to parents Eugene and Dorothy
(affectionately known as Doll), Gary played baseball and football at Niles Township High
School in Skokie, Illinois before studying accounting at Illinois Wesleyan University where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He later earned his MBA at
Northwestern University.

Just before college, Gary began dating the love of his life, Shirley Ferguson. They married in June 1963 and welcomed three children – Brett, Stacy, and Craig. Together, they embarked on Gary’s career journey in public accounting at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co (later KPMG) where he soon made partner and forged lifelong friendships. His career moved their family to Omaha, Chicago, New York City, and Columbus and took Gary and Shirley around the world on business trips.

After settling in Columbus, Gary became part of the fabric of the business community
having at times served on the Board of Directors of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the
Executive Search Committee of the State Treasurer’s Office, and the Mayor’s Task Force to create and run the Columbus 500 – an IMSA race through the streets of downtown.

A renaissance man, Gary enjoyed working with his hands as much as he enjoyed the
intellectual challenges of accounting. A gentleman racer, Gary’s family – including his
father Gene – made memories at circuits across the country as Gary raced karts, moved into open wheel racing, and eventually owned Roubinek Motorsports operating NASCAR series entries in the northeast. He enjoyed hunting and competitive sport shooting, forging many lasting friendships through those endeavors. Most of all, Gary cherished his role as “Papa”/“Grandpa” sharing unique interests, thoughtful guidance, and often some pocket cash with each of his eight grandchildren.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, Brian M. Roubinek. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Roubinek; their three children, Brett Roubinek (Kt) of Galena, Stacy Berglund (John) of Redding, CA, and Craig Roubinek (Linda) of Powell; and their adored and adoring grandchildren, Erin, Hannah, Abby, Justin, Megan, Hopa, River, and Fiadh.