Brig. Gen. Ruben A. Cubero, USAF (Ret.) '57
Brigadier General Ruben Cubero, USAF (Ret.) ’57 made a name for himself at Xavier on the football field, but his career would take him to distinguished heights in the US Air Force and beyond. After graduating from Xavier in 1957, General Cubero entered into the United States Air Force Academy and graduated with its third-ever graduating class in 1961 (he even managed to see some success on the collegiate football field, as well). General Cubero would later receive a Distinguished Graduate Award from the Academy in 2011.
General Cubero’s career in the Air Force is an outstanding one. Accumulating over 6700 flying hours and completing 243 combat missions in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller, his actions earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross and 14 Air Medals. He then served as a faculty member at the Air Force Academy, and after completing his doctorate in higher education and administration at the University of Denver, he served as the Dean of Faculty for the Academy. After his time at the Academy, he spent time as president of the Falcon Foundation, which distribution millions of dollars every year in scholarships to minority preparatory students.
General Cubero exemplifies the spirit of living a life as “a man for others,” and he is a truly welcome addition to the Xavier High School Hall of Fame.
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Richard J. O'Reilly, M.D., '60
By Michael P. LaQuaglia, M.D., Chief, Pediatric Surgical Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
I know Dr. O’Reilly very well having worked with him on a daily basis for the last 25 years at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He has come through the academic ranks at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and presently holds the Claire L. Tow Chair in Pediatric Oncology Research at the Center. He is an author or co-author on 344 peer-reviewed scientific publications, has written 38 scientific reviews, and is an author or co-author on 27 books or book chapters in the scientific literature. Dr. O’Reilly’s academic career has been spectacular and he exemplifies the highest ideals of Jesuit education. He is one of the foremost scientists working on bone marrow transplantation in the world.
I would note that Dr. O’Reilly is a man for others. He has shown consistent and strong involvement and support for the Ronald McDonald House and presently serves on their Board of Regents. He is involved with, and been a speaker at, many fundraisers for that laudable institution. He has raised money tirelessly for research from philanthropic sources.
Finally, Dr. O’Reilly is an excellent clinician. He continues to take call and perform ward rounds at a time when he has many other administrative duties. During those times when he is attending on the wards he is an extraordinary clinician; he has a calming influence on parents and children and a steadying influence on the house staff and trainees. He leads by example, in the best traditions of St. Ignatius.
I support Dr. O’Reilly’s selection as a distinguished alumnus in the Xavier Hall of Fame completely, unequivocally and with great enthusiasm. His life and career has been a role model for all future graduates.
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Each week we will be publishing the story of 2014 Xavier Hall of Fame Inductees. Brig. Gen Ruben A. Cubero, USAF (Ret.) '57 and Richard J. O'Reilly, M.D. '60 will be recognized at Xavier’s Hall of Fame Dinner, which will take place November 7 at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers. For tickets and more information, register online or please contact Mrs. Helene Strong at 212-924-7900 x1654, or by e-mail at strongh@xavierhs.org.