A memorial service celebrating the life of Dan Gene Rebik, 54, will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 12th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.
Dan died on Saturday, August 6, 2011, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Dan was born on November 18, 1956 in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Rebik. His family moved to Waterloo, Iowa. Dan graduated from Central High School in Waterloo.
He attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with a BA. and MA in Philosophy. Dan took doctoral classes at the University of California at San Diego and the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
Mr. Rebik was employed by Wal Mart for the last 17 years. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid chess player, a well versed historian, and an eclectic collector of books and knowledge.
He is survived in death by his wife of 32 years, Jeanne, two daughters, Jennifer Boyce of Lawrence, Kansas, and Dawndellynn Kral of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 4 grandsons, Chris , Cameron , Chaylin , and Cobey; one granddaughter, Jessica; and one sister, Debbie Koziel of Omaha, Nebraska.
Directly following the memorial service, a reception will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the East Lawrence Recreation Center meeting room at 1245 East 15th Street, Lawrence, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Condolences may be sent to the family at yost@sunflower.com.
To the family of Dan Rebik ~
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Dan Rebik. My thoughts are with
you!
I was a good friend of Dan’s sister, Debbie. I have been trying to get in
touch with Debbie for many years and would love to hear from her. Please
provide her with my contact information.
Thank You,
Laura Ungs
Cousin Danny,
It was with great sadness that I received word today from your sister of
your departure from this life several days ago. Many memories then surfaced
from our childhood days through college at the University of Northern Iowa.
I remember the holiday get togethers at Grandma & Grandpa Rebik’s in Tama in
the 1960’s where we would play games and talk about American Revolutionary
War history-even at that young age! How could I forget during your family’s
move from the Tama area to Waterloo/Cedar Falls when you & I were
inadvertently left behind at a gas station by one of the movers who was
supposed to take us to your new home, and what consternation that caused!
At UNI in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s I remember the section in the
Student Union where you and fellow students would sit and discuss
philosophical matters-and of course, play a game or two of chess while
smoking your pipe to pass the time!
As adults we can grow apart, but the memories of those special moments
during childhood and teenage years do remain and serve to remind us that we
are still family regardless of the years or miles which have passed.
You are missed very much by your family and friends, and we will not forget
you. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
Jimmy
Cousin Dan, I wish our family could have been closer with you. But I understand that we all have our own direction to go in life in order to be happy and fulfill our dreams. Even though we were 14 years apart, I still have many good memories of you. After reading a few of the testaments and condolences, it is nice to see that you had stayed true to yourself. I too remember your love for chess, your room filled with books, your intelligence, and your passion for learning. One of my favorite memories was when I thought I could talk you into playing Barbies with me and instead you turned it into a lesson on how you were able to put a ship in a bottle. You seemed to know that there was a better way I could spend my time learning something new. And, you could benefit from not being tortured by playing Barbies with a 5 year old.
I am sorry to say that it has been years since I have seen Jeanne & Jennifer. I hope you are doing as well as can be expected. My deepest sympathy for Dan’s family and friends.
Received the sad news tonight about the passing of dear, sweet Danny. I hold onto so many wonderful memories of visiting the Rebiks in Waterloo during those sweltering summer months of years gone by. We cousins did tend to get involved in some harmless, silly (dare I say crazy?) antics back then, and with much fondness I recall Dan’s sharp wit and unique brand of humor. I’ve missed him, I miss Deb, and miss those carefree days. Sending family and loved ones condolences for your sorrow and great loss. See you later, Danny.
I am so sorry to hear about Dan. I have so many fond memories of growing up together; we were very close as kids. Heartfelt sympathy to you all.
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Dan Rebik.
I recall all the mostly chess conversations that we enjoyed. He showed me a line against the French Defense that I still use. Every time that I have played that line, I always thought of Dan. Now I will play that line in his memory. Farewell Dan.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of my old friend, Dan Rebik. Although we didn’t keep in touch over the years, I find myself fondly thinking back to the time we all knew each other. Jack (Klaus, above), Brian, and Mike are still with us, as Dan joins Scott, John, Willis, Rick, and Lyle. Farewell, my friend — the lives you touched were enriched beyond what you knew.
Jeanne,
I’m so sorry to hear this. I know that you and Dan were very close, and I wish this would not have happened. I feel terrible about the loss for you and Jennifer and the rest of your family.
I enjoyed all of the talks about history and chess that Dan and I shared, and I will miss him very much.
Steve
Jeanne, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I knew Dan for 40 years; he truly had a major impact on my life. He was extraordinarily gifted as a chess player, and in many other intellectual areas. He became the champion of our regional chess club (Ceder Valley Chess Club, Northeastern Iowa), in 1970, when he was 14 years old, and defended this title sucessfully for several years, until he left NE Iowa for graduate school. When Dan was in 9th grade, he decided he did not want to wait until college, and took his first college level Philosophy course at the University of Northern Iowa. As a chess player, his games were not only brilliant, but also highly innovative. I know that over his lifetime, he has tutored me and many other young chess players.
Dan proved himself to be a faithful friend throughout the 4 decades that I knew him. He had a deep impact on me. I will never forget him.
I will remember Dan for his patience with me as a chess pupil – and a person. He had a difficult life at times, yet was one of the most positive individuals I have known. Dan laughed so easily, his upbeat nature was contagious. His values always seemed to be spot on, not swayed by materialism, but focused on family. A good man to remember and emulate.
Dan,
Cousin, intellectual, humorous, caring, enigmatic, individual. I am sorry to say that the last time I spoke with you was your sister’s wedding. Too much time passed. You will be missed.
What can I say.