James Ayer Rubins ’55

Jim, a ferocious Scrabble player with a broad range of other interests, died July 28, 2021, at Amsterdam House nursing home in New York City. The COVID-19 lockdown led him into a deep depression, but when his visitors were given a compassionate-care pass in May, his last two months were much better. 

Jim was born Oct. 20, 1933, in New York City and graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. At Princeton he majored in history and joined Tower Club.

Jim had a remarkably varied three-part career and always enjoyed what he was doing. For 20 years he was with the N.W. Ayer ad agency. Next, he opened his own market-research firm, and then trained in psychoanalysis. As a psychoanalyst, he opened a practice and taught. Jim’s interests ranged from hiking and paddling to the arts, including dance, chamber music, and opera. 

In 2000 he met Pamela Bayless, a magazine journalist and book author who was his partner through both good times and his health challenges that began in 2007. At Amsterdam House short-term treatment led to a long-term stay beginning in 2019. When he became depressed during the COVID pandemic, weekly letters from classmate Jim Wiant were a big help.

The two Jims died within six days of each other.

In addition to Pam, Jim is survived by his four daughters, Cynthia Rubins, Suzanne Rubins, and twins Alice Davis and Barbara Admire; four grandchildren; and his brother, Harry.