Found Deceased VA - Bruce Rubin, 61, jogger, Primland Resort, Patrick Co., 2 July 2021

[designomnivore]

@designomnivore Thank you so so much for your input here. Questions: 1. We don't see a Rooster Trail listed on the property. Is it called something else? 2. How well marked is the trail? What are the chances he would get lost off that trail? 3. When you say there is all that debris, what did you mean by that? That he could slip or trip on it? It is so hard to sit and wait for an email that never comes.

Hi Friend - I apologize. I just checked the trail map for Primland, and I had the name a little wrong… the trail where we think the rescue started on Friday and where we saw it continuing yesterday is called “Buzzard’s Roost Trail” and wraps around the whole Western side of Primland’s Highland Golf Course.

Buzzard’s Roost is very well-marked (as are all of the other hiking trails). We were actually impressed with the good signage and frequent paint markers on trees to indicate that you are still on a given trail.

There is not debris on the trail. There is debris (like fallen trees) and dense vegetation on the slope that is below the trail. So, my thought at the time when I was hiking was that it would be a very difficult search on those slopes. I’m sorry.

To answer your question about slipping or tripping, all Virginia as well as Primland trails have roots within the path at times or rocks that stick up or are slick after rain. Buzzards Roost is listed as “Difficult”for hiking as well. I found it moderately challenging at times and definitely had to take it slowly at points.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I understand how difficult it must be to be waiting on news.

 

[friendofbrucerubin]

@Oriah I can’t give a useful answer because it would depend on how long he was going out for. He did have a Camelback on him it said on the missing photo. <modsnip> Also an experienced distance runner and would gauge his planned mileage according to the water he had. If he took a camelback he was probably planning on a long run.

 

[K9Enzo]

What were the temps, dew point, on the day Bruce went for a run? Medical emergencies can happen to anyone.

A blown knee is one that gets people into trouble.

I’m always concerned about heat illness emergencies that can leave someone disoriented. Dehydration, sometimes you really aren’t drinking enough water especially if you’re sweating.

Did he give anyone an ETA of when he should be back?

More thoughts - did he leave the trail for privacy to use the bathroom and get turned around. Did he like to take selfies on outings. Perhaps he went to a look out point to enjoy the view and lost his footing.

If I understand correctly, he was a guest at this resort. When you’re on vacation you want to make the best of your time. Was he more adventurous this day? So many questions…. IMO

 

[Oriah]

@Oriah I can’t give a useful answer because it would depend on how long he was going out for. He did have a Camelback on him it said on the missing photo. In my experience with him he stuck to trails on runs — not a bushwacker.
He was an experienced hiker and wouldn’t voluntarily drink untreated water. Also an experienced distance runner and would gauge his planned mileage according to the water he had. If he took a camelback he was probably planning on a long run.

I understand. The reason why I was wondering about that was because it was mentioned that he had heart/lung problems, but perhaps undiagnosed or unknown? Sometimes a moment or two of lightheadedness can turn into a full on collapse within seconds, in which case depending where he was on the run- he could have taken quite a tumble. Where did he usually physically carry his cell phone and do you know what service he had?

 

[Doghairrules]

What were the temps, dew point, on the day Bruce went for a run? Medical emergencies can happen to anyone.

A blown knee is one that gets people into trouble.

I’m always concerned about heat illness emergencies that can leave someone disoriented. Dehydration, sometimes you really aren’t drinking enough water especially if you’re sweating.

Did he give anyone an ETA of when he should be back?

More thoughts - did he leave the trail for privacy to use the bathroom and get turned around. Did he like to take selfies on outings. Perhaps he went to a look out point to enjoy the view and lost his footing.

If I understand correctly, he was a guest at this resort. When you’re on vacation you want to make the best of your time. Was he more adventurous this day? So many questions…. IMO

I actually just read an article that older adults are likely not to realize they are getting dehydrated because they don’t feel thirsty like younger people do. Since I’m 58, I wasn’t thinking of Bruce as a senior adult, but maybe he technically is?

 

[Oriah]

I believe that's true. And even minor dehydration can spark a medical event of much larger proportion. Did he eat that morning? Is he a coffee drinker? Does he drink alcohol? He was on vacation, it would not be at all unusual to have a couple glasses of wine or whatever the night before, and then coffee in the morning. Dehydration can be exacerbated by a lot of things. I'm really concerned Bruce fell ill and somehow ended up off the trail, where people searching might not have been looking.

 

[friendofbrucerubin]

@designomnivore Thank you for all your help. Somehow knowing you were there when he was there and that you know that trail and are serious runners makes me feel a little bit better. What was the weather like each day you were there, post Bruce's disappearance? Was it nice every day or was there some bad weather where they had to stop the search? Today marks the end of day five

 

[friendofbrucerubin]

<modsnip >They are down to 20 searchers with 9 out of 10 days of rain coming up where they cannot search: Search for jogger suspended Wednesday due to impending rain event
Please resort to praying hard for Bruce.

 

[YaYa_521]

Search for jogger suspended Wednesday due to impending rain event

RSBM

Bruce is from Chappaqua, New York. Along with details of the search efforts, the article included a little bio of sorts.

SBM
Rubin serves as the COO and Chief Compliance Officer of Westchester Capital Management. He joined the firm in 2010, according to online information. An online biography states that he holds a B.A. from Stanford University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.

Rubin started his career practicing law for five years at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, and then held a number of positions at major Wall Street firms, including four years as President and CEO of PaineWebber Properties and three years as CAO at Lightyear Capital, a private equity fund. Before joining WCM, Rubin spent five years at Seneca Capital, an event-driven hedge fund, as Chief Operating Officer.
#
Bruce's LinkedIn account:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-rubin-b2894711/

 

[K9Enzo]

Did anyone report seeing Bruce on the trail the day he set off?

 

[Simply Southern]

<modsnip> They are down to 20 searchers with 9 out of 10 days of rain coming up where they cannot search: Search for jogger suspended Wednesday due to impending rain event
Please resort to praying hard for Bruce.

The effects of Elsa are expected to start early tomorrow morning, wind, heavy rain, flash flooding in low lying areas. This should move out by Friday. July and August we have 90% plus humidity, afternoon thunderstorms are always in the forecast.

I am praying for Bruce.

Any update from his family? I hope his wife has support. Have the searchers found any of his possessions?

 

[K9Enzo]

Is there any crucial medications he’s without right now?

How is he in stressful situations (panic, steady thinker, calm…)?

I saw his friend mentioned without his glasses he would have a very difficult time seeing. That’s something SAR would probably ask/want to know.

 

[annpats]

<modsnip>

Not a single clue after 5 days of searching by teams of SAR.

That is seriously worrying. To not be anywhere on or near a trail is very weird. Even if he'd have had a fatal heart attack, he wouldn't have disappeared like that.

And I'm not sure I can think of a situation that would involve him disappearing down a cliff/drop-off/ravine and being hidden by foliage at the bottom. It's been said he wasn't an off-trail bushwhacker kind of man.

Plus, he was at Primland with his wife on their anniversary, so there was no need to be pushing himself. Just do the run, get back safely, enjoy the rest of the day.....

 

[YaYa_521]

Did anyone report seeing Bruce on the trail the day he set off?

I haven't read of anyone seeing him on the trail. A.B.'s comment on LE's FB post is the only potential sighting I've read about.

Log into Facebook

RSBM

 

[Oriah]

I finally got an update. This is beyond devastating. These crews have made herculean efforts and I am told they do not have a single clue. They are down to 20 searchers with 9 out of 10 days of rain coming up where they cannot search: Search for jogger suspended Wednesday due to impending rain event
Please resort to praying hard for Bruce.

I am so sorry. Heavy weather is so discouraging for family and SAR efforts. Our thoughts are with you during these challenging times. Searches might need to be suspended temporarily but that does not mean Bruce is forgotten. Please know we are with you.

 

[modesty blaise]

This is most likely misadventure. For my own curiosity if you wanted to leave the resort are they any transportation options within a reasonable distance??

 

[Simply Southern]

This is most likely misadventure. For my own curiosity if you wanted to leave the resort are they any transportation options within a reasonable distance??

No transportation unless he flags down a local for a ride.

 

[friendofbrucerubin]

Thank you all for your support. I'm not sure how I'd get through this without having you guys to talk to, especially @Oriah and @designomnivore.

<modsnip>

 

[annpats]

At this point my best guess is that he fell (the trail has drop offs along one side almost the entire way) and the dense covering is why they cannot find him.

Two questions:

How close are these drop-offs to the actual path?

What do you think made him get so close to the edge of this drop-off?

 

[Simply Southern]

<modsnip> I have hope, as well. I worried about his wife being without family. The folks of Patrick County are very compassionate and caring, not ones to give up.

Praying for Bruce and his family.

I would hope Primland has search video camera for any possible sighting. I do not feel he left the property walking, someone would have seen him. This is a very small community.