Charles 'Chigger' Frank Rubel

Charles Frank 'Chigger' Rubel

Published: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12:03 AM CDT Charles Frank "Chigger" Rubel, 82, of Owensboro died Monday, March 22, 2010, at his residence. He was born at home in Clarksville, Tenn., to the late Thomas Eugene Rubel and Anna Laura (Trotter) Rubel. His first wife, Joan Sexton Rubel; two older sisters, Martha Elizabeth Lee and Amanda Jane Mizell; and a brother, William Eugene Rubel, preceded him in death.

Frank is survived by his three children, Lisa Quinn, Lydia Zogg and Ryan Rubel; two granddaughters, Jessica Durbin and McKenzi Zogg; and one great-grandson, Cameron Vickers, all of Owensboro; his wife, Jacquie Miles; four stepdaughters, Alyson Walling of Los Lunas, N.M., Camilla Stanley of Beaver Dam, Meredith Wren of Owensboro and Susan Andis of Colorado Springs, Colo.; plus Barney and Daisy, his faithful doggie companions.

Frank was an avid sportsman and University of Tennessee fan. He played quarterback in high school, in the Army and college, known as "Chunking Chigger." His proudest moment in high school was playing football against Springfield, Tenn., in 1945, scoring 27 out of the 33 points and winning the game for Clarksville. He fished every lake within 100 miles, played most of the golf courses in Kentucky and Tennessee, winning first place in 1996 in Owensboro Senior Legends Golf Championship. He played baseball, bowled, rock climbed, snorkled as well as snow and water skiing.

Frank served in the U.S. Army in the Korean era. He was offered a football scholarship to the University of Georgia and practiced with the team, but became homesick and returned to play with Austin Peay State University in his hometown where he also had a scholarship. He worked for Liggett & Myers for 40 years through two name changes from Pinkerton to Swedish Match and retired as a manager in quality control.

He was a member of Owensboro Lions Club and attended Immaculate Catholic Church with his wife. He was a loving and gentle man who believed in rescuing children and animals.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Catholic Church. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be private. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to St. Joseph Peace Mission or to the Humane Society. Online condolences may be expressed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.