David and Ellen Rebstock
April 25, 1944 – May 20, 2025
Memorial Service To Be Decided
Obituary
David Martin Rebstock passed away peacefully at home in Rochester, Minnesota on Saturday, October 21 at the age of 86. He is remembered for having been a loving husband to Ellen, father to Mark, Tim and Peter, and for having lived a life of global service. He cared deeply about the world, its people, and the challenges facing our planet.
He was born in Waterford, Wisconsin December 9, 1936 to Milton and Alfreda Rebstock. He has fond memories of playing in the Fox River there and took great pride in his fishing boat, his newspaper route, and working at an early age.
He studied at Luther College in Iowa and completed his BA in Accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he also served in ROTC.
He served in the United States Army from 1959-1961 and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. While there, he took advantage of leaves to explore Italy, Spain, and Scandinavia.
After the Army, he returned to the University of Wisconsin, as he said, to get his Masters and his Mrs. He had met Ellen Vinette Long in 1962 while at the University of Wisconsin and they were married in 1965. Their family soon grew with the arrival of Mark, Tim and Peter.
He worked as a CPA at Arthur Anderson from 1964-1976. David and Ellen joined the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), a human development organization in 1976. While with the ICA, he made economic development treks to communities throughout Southeast Asia, Jamaica, and the United States.
As a family, David and Ellen and their three boys lived in more than 25 places in 58 years of marriage including Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Scheveningen, Netherlands; Chicago, Illinois; Singapore; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Kingston, Jamaica; Cincinnati, Ohio; Sacramento and Santa Rosa, California; Greensboro, North Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; Rochester, Minnesota; and for 8 months, an R.V. named Maggie.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Alfreda Rebstock. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Bucholtz; wife, Ellen; his sons, Mark, Tim and Peter; daughters in law, Tracy and Katherine; and grandchildren, Charlie and Anna.
Gifts in David’s memory may be made to the Institute of Cultural Affairs-USA.
Memories
Dear Ellen and Rebstock family, Dick and I were deeply saddened this week at the death of a long time friend, David. And had great rememberings: from him digging in the Bubun vegetable garden in the deadly tropical heat, being in Kansas City and Lorimor when you had kids there, to finance treks to the HDP locations, the trip in your van in 2000 from Denver to Vail with the Lanphears for the Order gathering, book studies and conversations with Mariana Bailey, and more. In gratitude,
~~ Dick and Gail West
Dear Ellen and all the family, For David’s long life among us and his servant-leadership around the globe, I am filled with gratitude. Love, God’s Grace and Peace,
~~ Ellen Howie
Your father played a special role in my life . He was supportive when I was completing my accounting degree with my two small children while I lived at Kemper. A very caring and compassionate person. I am sorry for your loss.
~~ Katherine Sharko
We were sorry to learn the news of David’s passing. We too join our colleagues in celebrating David’s extraordinary life. Our first memories of David go back to knowing him at the Kemper Building in the late 70s. David was using his expertise in working with HDPs to develop economic projects during that time. Fast forward to 2011 or so. David and Ellen moved to the Baltimore area and we eagerly invited them to join our DC/Baltimore House Church group. We discovered David was an imaginal educator, insightful teacher and wonderful film facilitator. His intellect was dedicated to the service of the earth in crisis and justice for all. We are grateful for the gifts he shared with the order, those he encountered in the many places he worked and with us. We send our love and prayers to Ellen, Mark, Tim, Peter and the other dear family members. Grace and peace,
~~ Jack and Louise Ballard
Ellen and family, I know the grieving process is long. May the memories hold you close and perhaps you’ll experience what I’ve been told are “hugs from the inside.” David was such a quiet force of nature. I appreciate our time of connection. Blessings,
~~ Sunny Walker
Ken and I will miss David’s profound care for the Order and the world. We will miss long talks with David and Ellen in Chicago and in many places where we shared global adventures. Our thoughts are with Ellen, Mark, Peter and Tim. May peace be with you all,
~~ Mary Laura Jones and Ken Otto
Dear Ellen and family, Jim and I send our deepest condolences to you all in your sadness over David’s passing on. I found it a great pleasure to reconnect with David when we both took part in The Last Chapter series. David always was interested in what was happening in Australia especially around the Oombulgurri project. We are grateful his life touched ours in a very meaningful way, thank you for sharing him with us. With our prayers and our love,
~~ Isobel and Jim Bishop
Awesome fellow. I always will remember that sort of squint he did before he made a comment!! I am richer for having known him — and Ellen and you boys!! I ran across this poem. It seems relevant, to many of us, particularly to David.
~~ Jim Wiegel
Perfection Wasted
And another regrettable thing about death
is the ceasing of your own brand of magic,
which took a whole life to develop and market —
the quips, the witticisms, the slant
adjusted to a few, those loved ones nearest
the lip of the stage, their soft faces blanched
in the footlight glow, their laughter close to tears,
their tears confused with their diamond earrings,
their warm pooled breath in and out with your heartbeat,
their response and your performance twinned.
The jokes over the phone. The memories
packed in the rapid-access file. The whole act.
Who will do it again? That’s it: no one;
imitators and descendants aren’t the same.
John Updike
People sometimes perceive accountants to be boring number-crunchers, but these adjectives never applied to my Dad. Instead, he used his MBA to promote economic development in rural communities in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and around the United States. He cared deeply about the world, its people, and the challenges faced by our planet. And he cared about his family, loved being a dad and a grandfather. He passed away last night, peacefully and at home, at age 86. I already miss him terribly, but I hope he’s at peace and perhaps reunited with his parents. So grateful to you, my friends, for your love, support, and friendship!
~~ Mark Rebstock
Condolences to Ellen , Mark, Peter and Tim. We have enjoyed having David in our movie discussion group for the last few years. We will miss him.
~~ Maxine and Roger Butcher
We first met David in Singapore. He was a kind, gentle and knowledgeable person. When we saw him again after several years in Seattle, he was the same warm person. Always greeting us with his friendly smile. We will always remember him with fondness. Our deepest condolences to you and all the family, especially your mom. Love and hugs.
~~ Sheela Westre
I spent many hours with David working on financial books for different human development projects. I loved every minute of it. He always knew exactly what to do and he always kept us laughing. He will be greatly missed.
~~ Martha Laird
Here’s to you, David. In admiration of your character and your service. Ever grateful.
~~ Ken Fisher
David and I went to several HDP to find out why their economic project didn’t work. We had so much fun. Then David and Ellen came to see me in Arizona. He sent me An Ikon of St Francis and Claire. He was such a caring man. Ellen and his family, I hope that you share the memories you have of him. I will miss him.
~~ Kaze Gadway
In grief on his passing and in gratitude for David’s words and deeds.
~~ Rob Work
I wasn’t assigned with David during past ICA years, but I got to know and appreciate him in zoom conversations in the past 2 or 3 years. He was a wonderful, caring man with a gentle personality. So sorry to hear of his passing. My sympathy to you and your family.
~~ Nancy Trask
So sorry to hear this. He was a fine man I have fond memories of working with him in Chicago.
~~ Elizabeth Caperton
What a beautiful tribute to a life well lived. And I’m sure he’d say you kids are his finest accomplishment. I am sorry for the pain of having to say good bye.
~~ Jane Sharp
David has been missed in a movie group we were both in. I didn’t realizing he was ill. May all his family be comforted.
~~ Jann McGuire
Ellen, I am sorry to hear about David’s death this week. He was such a positive force for good his entire life. I am praying for you and your sons as you both celebrate and grieve over his passing. Love and peace,
~~ Karen Snyder Troxel
David was part of the Springboard gathering at Lake Junaluska, NC, attending from their home in California, I recall. Later, David and Ellen spent a year or more in Greensboro, when John and I were still living there. We enjoyed time together with them as they settled in. Ever the teachers, they became affiliated with one of the Presbyterian churches there in the university area and helped orchestrate several programs with global contexts as well as a movie night.
In more recent years when we both resettled near our children, David was most helpful in helping some of us get acquainted with zoom technologies.
We celebrate this man of many talents and his expenditure in projects around the globe. We send our care to the Rebstock family in this time of transition. Grace and peace,
~~ Lynda and John Cock
I give thanks often that I was assigned with the Rebstocks while I was in San Francisco, a very difficult year for me. They were tremendous support for our work and me personally. The three boys added their own sparkle to our life. David got a good job accounting in San Jose. Everyday he drove to San Jose for work; not an easy commute. He is missed.
~~ Joan Knutson
I appreciate Dharma’s comment about another part of our community being gone. I have been struggling to find my voice and still do not feel up to is but I felt moved to speak. I was trying to say something about Elaine Telford, David Rebstock, and Sandy. I can not speak to wholeness and gift of each but I can describe how they intersected my life my life in a particular order and each impacted me and others. Each had a combination of wisdom and an ability to hold the space in a gentle way, less assertive than my own but just as steadfast. They held their ground and invited others to reflect and choose their own.
David I am sure I have known a long time but I did not meet him until Covid or just before as the virtual world of books and research expanded. Several time David and Jim Wiegel and I worked together on projects of learning. I really appreciated his intention to follow and to understand. To try to make sure that commitments made are commitments met. With love, respect and remembrance
~~ Larry Philbrook
Obituary
Peace, I ask of thee, O River, peace, peace, peace
When I learn to live serenely, cares will cease.
From the hills, I gather courage,
vision of the day to be.
Strength to lead, and faith to follow,
all are given unto me.
Peace, I ask of thee, O River, peace, peace, peace
Ellen Vinette Long Rebstock, 81, passed away peacefully at home in Minnetonka, Minnesota, on Tuesday, May 20. She is remembered as a formidable force, difficult for her children to keep up with when she walked, determined, able to do anything, and with an aura of Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman. In her later years, she had a challenging set of health issues that slowed her mobility and diminished her hearing but not her fierce independence or her sense of humor.
Born on April 25, 1944, in Urbana, Illinois, Ellen was the daughter of Wayne and Martha Long. She grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin, with her brothers Peter and Tom, and had fond memories of Girl Scouts and participating in high school plays and musicals. She notably played the role of Annie Sullivan in a Neenah community theater production of The Miracle Worker about the life of Helen Keller.
Ellen studied physical therapy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she met David Martin Rebstock in 1962. They married in 1965, and their family soon grew with the arrival of their three sons, Mark, Tim, and Peter.
In 1976, Ellen and David joined the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), a human development organization. During her time with ICA, Ellen led management and participation training seminars and helped organize and facilitate Global Women’s Forums around the world.
Afterward, she resumed her career in physical therapy in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she became a pioneer in offering therapy to patients with HIV. She also combined her healthcare expertise with leadership skills to manage healthcare teams in nursing homes and physical therapy departments in Cincinnati, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa, California.
Over 58 years of marriage, Ellen and David lived in more than 28 locations, including Milwaukee, WI; Scheveningen, Netherlands; Chicago, IL; Singapore; San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA; Kingston, Jamaica; Cincinnati, OH; Sacramento and Santa Rosa, CA; Greensboro, NC; Baltimore, MD; Rochester and Minnetonka, MN; and, for eight months, in an RV named Maggie.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband David, and her brother Peter. She is survived by her brother, Tom, and his wife, Judy; sons Mark, Tim, and Peter; daughters-in-law Tracy and Katherine; and grandchildren Charlie and Anna.
Gifts in Ellen’s memory may be made to the Institute of Cultural Affairs–USA.
Memories
Video of Ellen Rebstock sharing stories about her North East Asia trek with Mary Warren Moffett. They facilitated forums in Kwangyung Il Ri, Korea; Tokyo, Japan; Hai Ou, Taiwan; and Nam Wai, Hong Kong in April 1977.
*****
How sad we were to hear this news about Ellen. Last night we just happened to be looking at the “Between the Arrows” video that Karen had sent from the Archives. There was Ellen in her navy blue suit and elegant white hat looking so young. She was one of the actors telling our stories in that 2000 Millenium Connection finale. Ellen was creative, elegant, insightful, enthusiastic, committed, and all with a beautiful smile.
When she and David came East to be close to Johns Hopkins Hospital and Peter’s dear Charlie and Anna, she still carried herself with poise and dignity and her sharp intellect. Our Baltimore Washington House Church group appreciated Ellen and David bringing Climate Justice to us in an urgent way. Somehow she was stronger than the disease that had overtaken her body.
We are grateful for her dedication to the Order. Her gifts were an important part of the fabric of our life together. We send our love to Mark, Tim, Peter, and all the family.
May you know grace and peace,
~~Jack and Louise Ballard
While I could echo other’s comments, 2 things i remember most about Ellen are here humor (her amused voice is in my head as I write) and while one called it poise (true), my word is elegant. A brief story: back in the day & long before our now famous sticky wall, to do a big card brainstorm required a large grid of masking tape, sticky side out. And there was elegant Ellen, with her enviable mass of long red hair, backing up toward the wall to make a point. Well, you can guess the result. My memory stops at that fateful moment, but as a facilitator & knowing Ellen, I can imagine the grace and “moving on…” that followed.
May the memories carry you in your grief. Blessings,
~~ Sunny Walker
Dear Mark, Tim, Peter and the extended Rebstock family,
I am deeply saddened by the passing of a strong and unique woman colleague on the “Long March of Love”. Joe and I cherished our friendship with both your parents over the years, both those in the Order, and after its dissolution in 1988 when many of us still chose to wear the ring and live out of the discipline.
Your Mom and Dad visited us about 10 years ago when we lived on our farm in West Newfield, Maine. Your parents were on a New England trek that your Mom had designed, visiting historic places they had on their “bucket list.” From Maine they planned to head south to make sure your Mom could visit Plymouth Plantation and see that famed “Plymouth Rock”.
The morning they planned to leave our home for that leg of the trip, your Mom, wheelchair dependent at the time, seriously compromised with a chronic vestibular system complication, but one that was being managed with meds, collapsed just before breakfast. We called 911, the rural volunteer EMT came to the rescue and whisked her to the hospital 35 minutes away. Your Dad, Joe and I followed in two cars.
By the time we were allowed to see her, she was sitting up on her bed like a queen, assuring us “all would be well.” We learned from the attending doctor that Ellen, as a former physical therapist and trained healthcare provider, was rigorous in recording every single health event of her adult life (and probably those of all members of the family) in such detail (event/ symptoms/ diagnosis/ treatment/ medical followup) that the hospital team knew immediately what to do. And Ellen carried that diary with her at all times when she travelled, knowing it might mean life or death.
Ellen was discharged later that day, and after another overnight with us, we waved your parents off to Plymouth Plantation. Your mom was one of the most intentional disciplined and committed women I’ve ever known, and this vignette holds that for me. I believe these were qualities of character she gave to to every missional, professional and personal encounter.
I know if Joe were here with me tonight, I know he would join me in affirming that Ellen Rebstock’s presence on planet earth was indeed, a gift, a life of service, well lived.With love,
~~ Marilyn Crocker
Dear friends,
Thank you for sharing the news about Ellen’s death.
I especially thank you Marilyn for your beautiful words in your tribute to a fine and wonderful woman. Her legacy will be enduring.
As a family, the Rebstock family made some wonderful times for us Aussies, always remembered here by us.
Thank you for being there, Ellen.
Warmest regards to you all, and in the spirit of Divine Hope.
~~ Isobel Bishop
Thank you Marilyn for that fine tribute to a great lady and faithful colleague!
