Bernard Joseph DeRubeis

Bernard Joseph DeRubeis

Bernard J. DeRubeis of Palm Desert, CA, and Barnes, WI (formally of Duluth, MN), died on January 3, 2018 at age 81.

Bernard was born on September 18, 1936 to Zenda and Dorothy DeRubeis in Ironwood, MI. Bernard graduated from Hurley Wisconsin High School in 1954. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin system as well as an honorable discharge for his military service. During this period he married his beloved wife Gretajean Torma, of Ironwood, MI, to whom he was married for 56 years.

After employment in a number of capacities in the private sector, Bernard accepted a position as an instructor at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1964. During his tenure at the University he served in many capacities including an Academic Department Head for 24 years, the director of the Masters in Environmental Health and Safety program which he founded in 1974, and advanced through the ranks to full Professor. Although he taught numerous courses in industrial practices and processes, his major research area was in the behavioral aspects of safety wherein he and Charles Bailey, of Duluth, the Association of American Railroads Research Chairman, lead a group of highly skilled professionals in the development of the Minnesota Safety Perception Survey which became an international standard for determining an industry's safety and health program's effectiveness.

Professor DeRubeis was also involved with and held leadership roles in many local, state, and national professional organizations and task forces. Most notable are the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the American Society of Safety Engineers, the Semiconductor Safety Association, and locally the Duluth Area Vocational Technical School Advising Committee, to name a few. He retired from the Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering in 2005.

Bernard is survived by his beloved wife, Gretajean; brothers, Peter DeRubeis, Eugene DeRubeis, James DeRubeis, and Lucia DeRubeis. Many nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

Arrangements by Cremations Society of Minnesota, Duluth.