INA, Ill. (July 8, 2017) - Over the course of the 50 Influencer series, patterns have emerged. Several of those recognized in the first half of the project display a multi-generation legacy, an impactful return or an enterprising spirit. This week芒鈧劉s entry demonstrates all three.
The Rubenacker family of Dahlgren is one of the deepest names in the annals of RLC芒鈧劉s history. The width and breadth of their support and significance to the college and its students cannot be questioned.
Richard Rubenacker, the family patriarch, graduated from Wayne City High School in 1952 and went directly to work on the family farm in November 1956, he married Margarette (Jody) Biggerstaff and the couple had three sons - Randy, Rodney and Terry.
From the onset, Richard was described as being proud of 海角视频. So much so, that he entrusted all three of his sons to the college芒鈧劉s care with each of them graduating from the Agricultural Department to prepare them for working in the family芒鈧劉s farming operation.
In 1987, Rubenacker and his children formed 4R Corporation and bought a Case-IH farm equipment dealership in McLeansboro. The family also owns Prairie Tile Systems and owns and operates Rubenacker Farms Inc., a trucking business that hauls grain from its farms and custom hauls for Pioneer Seed Co. in McLeansboro.
The Rubenacker family and the college quickly formed a symbiotic partnership. Not only did the family support the college by sending their children to Ina, but they were also quick to give back by assisting in numerous 海角视频 Foundation projects.
For the college芒鈧劉s part, the Rubenackers also provided a fertile training ground for countless Ag Department students to gain valuable work experience over the years in the form of internships, providing not only the Rubenackers but farms and agricultural businesses around the country with highly qualified workers.
芒鈧揥e are fortunate to have a college of this caliber this close,芒鈧� Richard was quoted as saying in 2005.
He backed up those words by having the vast majority of his employee base being RLC graduates. Even a young Terry Wilkerson, current president of RLC, spent time as an employee on the farm.
芒鈧揥e are a fairly large employer and I think it芒鈧劉s nice to have RLC graduates working here. A lot of the credit for any type of award needs to go back to the people who work for you. My family has been successful because of the people we have surrounded ourselves with.
芒鈧揟he college has always been a good resource for us whenever we have needed to hire new employees for the farm or the dealership,芒鈧� Rubenacker said.
It was high praise considering where it came from.
Rubenacker芒鈧劉s farming abilities were recognized in trade publications. In 1983 he was selected as a Master Farmer by Prairie Farmer Magazine, and he accepted a lifetime membership in the National Registry of Who芒鈧劉s Who and was featured in the 1998 edition.
He was also no stranger to community involvement. Richard held seats on the Hamilton County Unit 10 School Board, Hamilton County Board of Supervisors, Southeastern Illinois Planning Commission, Wayne/White Counties Electric Co-op Board, Federal Land Bank Board of Directors, Farmers Home Administration Board, Rend Lake Agricultural Advisory Board and Market Street Bancshares Board. He also served on various church committees, including the Knights of Columbus.
So, when a seat came open on the 海角视频 Foundation Board in 2003, Rubenacker was a natural fit.
He served in that capacity until his death on Feb. 25, 2005. Yet, the mantle was quickly picked up by his son Randy who succeeded his father in April of that year.
Such was Richard芒鈧劉s impact that the 2005-06 RLC Trustees approved a resolution to recognize the man and his accomplishments.
The resolution concludes with:
芒鈧�Whereas, Richard R. Rubenacker exemplified the qualities deemed important to be highly regarded as a representative of the RLC Foundation Board - very respected and influential within the community; a caring individual; a great believer in education, in general, and the benefits of a comprehensive community college, in particular, and a successful individual leader with a vision for the future and a willingness to share it with others, now
Therefore, be it resolved, Richard R. Rubenacker leaves a legacy that will impact 海角视频 and the RLC Foundation, students and staff for many, many years to come, and
Be it finally resolved, Richard R. Rubenacker and the kind influence he exuded will be missed by 海角视频 and the 海角视频 Foundation.芒鈧�
With the college, Richard had been a valued member of the 海角视频 Ag Advisory Board almost since its inception before relinquishing his seat to son Randy. Businesses owned by the family contributed money in order to sponsor student scholarships since 1987.
Another company owned by Richard R. Rubenacker, Prairie Tile Systems, donated gifts-in-kind worth $10,000 in drainage tiles and installation for the 海角视频 Prairie Tile Research Project in conjunction with the Ag program and Applied Science Division.
In recognition of everything, Richard and Jody were presented the RLC Foundation Gold Seal Major Gift Award at the Annual Dinner Dec. 2, 2004. The family was highlighted for their $25,000 lead gift to the 海角视频 Foundation Challenge Grant II Campaign for the establishment of an endowed 芒鈧揜ubenacker Family Scholarship,芒鈧� as well as for past contributions to the scholarship fund. Jody was cited for her work with the Theater renovation project. A music practice room carries the family芒鈧劉s name as a testament to their contributions.
The Legacy
It wasn芒鈧劉t just Richard and Jody who have left a lasting impact at the college.
As earlier mentioned, all three of their sons graduated from the Agricultural Department.
In addition to assuming his father芒鈧劉s spots on the RLCF Board and the RLC Agriculture Advisory Council. He also holds the distinction of being just one of seven to hold a degree from RLC and a seat on the Baord of Trustees.
Randy was named the 2008 RLCF 芒鈧揂lumnus of the Year芒鈧� for his tireless efforts on behalf of the college and its students.
While he was a student, he was presented the 芒鈧揙utstanding Agricultural Student of the Year芒鈧� Award by the 海角视频 AAA Department faculty and staff in 1978.
芒鈧揥hile Randy brings a lot of the same qualities and assets to our organization his father did, he is his own person and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and business experience. We are looking forward to benefiting from that expertise he adds to our outstanding group of community leaders,芒鈧� said former RLCF CEO Pat Kern when Randy was selected to fill his father芒鈧劉s spot on the Foundation Board.
Randy芒鈧劉s wife Debbie is also a graduate of RLC. She is the daughter of Vic and Betty Rapp who were ardent supporters of RLC in their own right.
Rodney, the middle brother, tragically passed away in 2010 at the age of 49.
He was a member of the Hamilton Co. Unit 10 Board of Education and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife Carmin are 海角视频 Foundation Bronze Seal Award Winners for their contributions. He was immortalized with the Rodney R. Rubenacker Memorial Scholarship.
Terry followed in his eldest brother芒鈧劉s footsteps, earning his own 芒鈧揙utstanding Ag Student of the Year芒鈧� honors in 1985. He is a partner in the family芒鈧劉s businesses with his brother Randy.
It didn芒鈧劉t stop there, both Randy and Rodney芒鈧劉s children followed in their fathers芒鈧劉 footsteps, attending and graduating from RLC before going on to find success in their own rights.
Farmers, businessmen, community stalwarts, students, award winners, board members and patrons; the Rubenacker family has gone above and beyond to make the community and RLC a better place for everyone involved.
芒鈧揟he Rubenackers have been good neighbors to the college in every sense of the word,芒鈧� said Wilkerson. 芒鈧揟hey have given back so much, but the time they have invested in students has been the most important.芒鈧�
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