July 15, 1947 – April 27, 2025

Phillip Lynn Ruble was born on July 15, 1947 in Lansing, Michigan to Homer and Pauline Ruble. He and his brother Mark grew up in Walbash County, Indiana and Phillip attended Lansing High School and then Indiana State University. He joined the Naval Reserves in 1966. He and his family, including daughter Laurie and son, Craig eventually moved to Southern California where Phil had a successful career in banking with Wells Fargo Bank and later City National Bank. He was active in the kids’ sports every weekend and weeknights and was very supportive of the community they lived in.

After the kids graduated from High School and left for College, Phil moved to Grass Valley in 1991 and joined Network Real Estate as a real estate agent. He was a top producer immediately, taking the real estate industry by storm. In 1994, Phil joined Cornerstone Realty Group and Mimi Simmons, who was Founder/co-owner at the time. As fate would have it, Phil and Mimi fell in love and decided to go into business together and bought out the previous partner and joined forces. Mimi always said one plus one equals eleven. And the adventure began.

Phil and Mimi continued to build the real estate company from a fledgling one location office of 6 agents to 4 offices and 65 agents. Phil and Mimi started a construction and development company, and built 40 homes in the county, including a manufactured home construction business. They worked on multiple developments including American Hill Estates and Ridge Meadows. During their free time, they loved to travel and have visited 38 countries. Phil played soccer with Peruvian athletes in Peru, hot air ballooned over the Serengeti in Tanzania and saw Cuba in its true state. They always enjoyed being near water and had houseboats on Englebright and Bullards Bar, one of Phil’s favorite places, as well as family time at Old Greenwood in Truckee.

Phil was passionate about the Military, especially World War II and his brother, Mark served in Vietnam as a Green Beret, whom Phil was very proud of. He was also passionate about Nevada County and the community, and always gave back at a moments notice. He served on many committees with the Nevada County Board of Realtors as well as being chosen as Realtor of the Year in 2015. He also served on the California Mortgage Association for many years and was involved in many committees. But one of his joys was Rotary and the Nevada City 49er Breakfast Club was a favorite organization of his. Rotary inspired Phil, especially with the Kellerman Foundation, and he and Mimi went to Bwindi, Uganda to assist in the construction of a new hospital and currently are participating in the creation of a dental and vision clinic. Many other donations are KVMR, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital (where he served on the Foundation Board), Center for the Arts, InConcert Sierra, Bright Futures, as well as many other non-profits in Nevada County.

Phil will be remembered as a man who made the extra effort to smile to a stranger, and became everyones best friend the minute he walked into the room. His smile, his eyes, and his heart will never be forgotten.

Phil is survived by his wife, Mimi of 29 years; his daughter, Laurie Michel and Michael Michael of Nevada City, and son, Craig Ruble of Santa Cruz; four grandchildren, Kayla Allen-Hooks, Anthony Michel, Chase Ruble, and Cole Ruble; two great-grandchildren, Henry and Harrison Allen Hooks; and two nephews, Fred Quinterno Jr. and Anthony Quinterno.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Mark in 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 7, 2025 at the Miners Foundry from 11:00am to 2:00pm. A shuttle bus from the Rood Center will start at 10:00am and stop at 3:00pm.

In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in Phil’s name to the 49er Rotary in Nevada City and the Nevada County American Legion.