Tributes are pouring in for Rowland “Reb” Rebele, publisher turned philanthropist who died Nov. 25 at age 93. He came to Santa Cruz County in 1979, and his family home was in Rio del Mar for 40 years.
Rowland Rebele and family at the Imagine 2022 benefit for the nonprofit CASA. He attended every year and celebrated his birthday. • Photo Credit: CASA Santa Cruz County
He made money as a newspaper publisher in the pre-digital era, and he took his lessons on generosity at St. Ignatius Prep School to heart. He told Brad Kava’s journalism class at Cabrillo College that his goal was to give away all his money before he died.
The following are public comments from around the community:
UC Santa Cruz
Rowland Rebele, a distinguished publisher, philanthropist, homeless advocate, and unwavering supporter of the arts, died Saturday, Nov. 25, at the age of 93. His indomitable spirit and fervent commitment to Santa Cruz have left an indelible imprint on both the community and the UC Santa Cruz campus.
Rowland and his wife, Pat, were active supporters of UC Santa Cruz for more than four decades, providing valuable advice to campus leaders as well as generous financial support.
“Rowland Rebele’s influence on UC Santa Cruz has been broad and deep,” said UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive. “Every future artist, social-justice leader, engineer and scientist who passes through our doors will continue to be beneficiaries of Rowland’s generosity, passion, and vision. He and Pat have been instrumental in transforming our campus.”
Rowland Rebele with his wife, Pat. • Photo Credit: Carolyn Lagattuta
The Rebeles created the Patricia and Rowland Rebele Endowed Chair in History of Art and Visual Culture and the Rebele Art History Endowment at the University Library. A gift of $1 million was used to jumpstart the Institute of the Arts and Sciences at UC Santa Cruz.
Their philanthropy extended to a wide variety of campus programs, including the Genomics Institute, where a recent gift is still helping researchers and health-care providers understand the COVID-19 genome. They also supported the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery, UC Santa Cruz Opera, the Arboretum, the University Center, Arts & Lectures, the Pacific Rim Music Festival, and Friends of Long Marine Laboratory.
The couple’s impact on the campus was recognized in 2009 when they were given the Fiat Lux Award at the Founders Day gala. The award is given by the UC Santa Cruz Foundation to alumni and friends who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, dedication, and service in support of the university’s programs and goals. The Rebeles were honored for their extraordinary support of the arts and education and their vital role as advocates for the homeless.
Rowland Rebele, a prominent figure in Santa Cruz for decades, engaged in philanthropic endeavors that spanned a wide spectrum, touching numerous organizations and individuals through direct donations, scholarships, and various forms of support. The couple were key contributors to the River Street homeless center, now bearing their name, showcasing their commitment to addressing societal challenges.
Rowland Rebele was born in San Francisco. He met Pat in middle school there. After obtaining his education at Stanford University and Harvard Business School, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He went on to manage several small newspapers in California, maintaining an avid interest in journalism throughout his life. Roughly 40 years ago, the Rebeles transitioned from the newspaper business to retirement in Santa Cruz.
Rowland Rebele is survived by wife Pat, children Marianne, Andrew, and Chris, as well as an extended circle of family and friends. Memorial service details are pending.
CASA
Court Appointed Children’s Advocates
We are saddened to learn of the passing of the amazing Rowland Rebele. His generosity and commitment made a lasting impact on countless lives.
We will be forever grateful for his contributions to our community. Rest in peace, Rowland. Our hearts go out to his family.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Reb was one of the first donors to pledge his support to Santa Cruz Shakespeare in 2013; he and his wife Pat have been generous supporters of the festival ever since.
Our love goes out to Pat and the rest of the Rebele family. Flights of angels.
Dan Haifley
Our community lost a piece of its heart last Saturday. Reb devoted the last four decades to making our community a better place. I most recently was fortunate to work with him and Catherine Segurson in support of Catamaran Literary Reader. May he rest peacefully, having lived a life of purpose in partnership with Pat, in service to others.
Linda Burroughs
Santa Cruz Symphony board president
With deep sorrow, we acknowledge the passing of Rowland Rebele, one of the finest people in our community. “Reb,” as his friends knew him, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25.
Your Symphony recently honored Reb as one of our Distinguished Board Alumni. It was a well-deserved accolade, not only for his generous financial support, but also because of his commitment and dedication to Santa Cruz Symphony. His continued good counsel and his larger-than-life presence at our performances and events have been treasured through the years. Reb was a member of the Santa Cruz Symphony Board for many years and served as Board President from 1982 to 1987. Right to the end, in his typical fashion, he was discussing the needs of local nonprofit entities.
The entire Symphony organization sends our deepest condolences to the Rebele family. Reb defined commitment to his community, displayed character and passion of spirit, and showed us what charity of heart looks like. We have lost a man of great value to his family and his community.
The County of Santa Cruz
The county has lost a giant in activist/philanthropist Rowland Rebele. Rebele cared deeply about the Santa Cruz County community and in making it a better place for all residents.
He gave generously to many local causes, and his name is on everything from UCSC’s Patricia and Rowland Rebele Endowed Chair in History of Art and Visual Culture to the Family Shelter at the Housing Matters campus on Coral Street. Solving homelessness was one of Rebele’s foremost issues.
(When the county broke ground for the skate park at Seacliff Village County, Rebele, a donor, was on hand.)
Veronica Elsea
Owner, Laurel Creek Music Designs
R I P, Rowland Rebele. It’s amazing what a difference one person can make.
My work with you goes way back. Oh when I think of all those hours sitting across the table, really going at it with you over symphony players’ pay and other things.
You made me work for everything we got. Yet, pretty much thanks to you, we have a symphony. Your passion is equaled only by your compassion. Everything from engineering to the unhoused.
Thanks for everything you did and gave, yes, even throwing that chair during contract talks. But no matter what happened, we could go out for dinner after we were done. You were one of a kind and wherever your spirit finds itself, I’m sure you’re putting out a lot of beautiful art. So long for now and we’ll miss you. R I P Rowland Rebele.
The San Lorenzo Valley Museum
So very very sorry to hear that Rowland Rebele has passed. What a wonderful Santa Cruz County benefactor.
Don Lane
Board president of Housing Matters
Rowland “Reb” Rebele’s impact on Housing Matters and all of us who worked alongside him cannot be understated. Reb and his wife Pat cared deeply for our unhoused neighbors in Santa Cruz County. As founding members of Housing Matters, they built and opened the doors of the Rebele Family Shelter, which is named after them.
When Reb joined in the work, we were not a large organization and had just a small handful of programs. Reb didn’t just contribute generously himself, he recruited countless others to make contributions. These contributions fueled our growth and higher rates of success with our participants.
David Snyder
First Amendment Coalition
The First Amendment lost one of its most passionate champions on November 25, with the death of Rowland Rebele at the age of 93.
The First Amendment Coalition lost a dear friend, family member, and guiding inspiration.
And all of us lost an exceptional human being.
Reb, as he was known to all who had the good fortune to meet him, was FAC’s most stalwart and generous supporter for the 33 years he served on our Board of Directors.
Born in San Francisco in 1930, Reb graduated in 1951 from Stanford, where he was editor of the Stanford Daily. He met his future wife, Patricia, in junior high school and went on to own a series of small newspapers across California and beyond.
Reb was elected to FAC’s board of directors in 1990, when it was called the California First Amendment Coalition. He served as board president from 1999-2000, and remained on the board until his death.
A journalist and newspaper publisher by training and trade, Reb had a particular passion for the public’s right of access to government information. The issue of public access and a free press drove Reb — the ideals behind the First Amendment, not the particular political or social controversy that may have brought those rights into the headlines.
He understood at a granular level the indispensable role that newspapers play in a free society — and the risks to all our freedoms that arise when journalists can’t do their jobs.
All of this is to say that Reb was a true believer — but, perhaps uncommonly for idealists, he was also eminently reasonable. Exacting but empathetic. Passionate but grounded. Opinionated but open to hearing the other side.
I can only speculate that this rare combination of traits helped fuel Reb’s business success. What I know for certain is that these traits made FAC a much better institution – stronger, healthier, and better able to carry out its crucial mission.
FAC is so much better for having known Reb and we look forward to sharing more stories and celebrating his impact in 2024. We are so grateful for the time we had with him. We only wish it lasted longer.
Santa Cruz Community Health
Today, we remember the life of Rowland Rebele, a longstanding and generous supporter of Santa Cruz Community Health. Rowland’s commitment to our mission has left an enduring impact on the well-being of our community.
We’re thrilled to have been selected this year as a participant in Santa Cruz Gives! As proud participants, we’re committed to supporting our community and creating positive change. From our vibrant Latino outreach program to music therapy and Camp Erin for grieving children, we’re raising awareness and support for these vital initiatives.
This year, we’ve received a generous Challenge Gift from Pat and Rowland Rebele. Every contribution goes twice as far to help the most vulnerable in our community.
Donations are open until Dec. 31. Give at https://hubs.ly/Q029DV-R0
California Press Foundation
With your support, we can make a lasting impact on the future of journalism in California.
We’ve launched our ”Funding the Future of Journalism” campaign. Our goal is to raise $500,000 by July 31, 2024. To kickstart this initiative, our full board and Rowland and Pat Rebele are contributing a combined $75,000.
We invite you to join us in this important mission. Your support will help expand our foundation’s impact, empowering the next generation of journalists and ensuring the continued growth of California’s journalism landscape.
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To contribute, visit: www.cal-press.org/fundraising