Like much of Norm Ruebling’s life, his radiation treatments for prostate cancer had a soundtrack.
Over the course of 35 treatments last year, three songs played on repeat — “Still” by Lionel Richie, “Till There Was You” by The Beatles and “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
Those songs were the foundation of a collection he assembled to sustain him during the cancer treatments.
Originally diagnosed in 2020, Ruebling, 71, had surgery to remove his prostate in April that year, and he remained cancer free until last fall.
When the cancer returned, he knew he needed the radiation, but it was going to be on his terms.
For Ruebling, who has directed Marching Mizzou and now fronts the Norm Ruebling Band, that way was going to involve music.
Peddling the music
Ruebling’s love for music began early. At 11, he was playing the drums. By 13, he was a member of his first garage band, the Night Raiders, which performed all over Troy, Missouri.
“Our parents would drive us to bars where we were playing, and they would wait out in the parking lot,” Ruebling said. “It was so much fun. I’m still tight with the guys in that band.”
After that, he was always in a band, finally putting his own together 30 years ago.
“This particular band now is killer good,” he said.
Ruebling is the drummer and frontman — organizing gigs, picking songs and helping set up the instruments and equipment before they play.
Other band members include Will West on vocals and guitar; Ken Kehner on vocals and keyboard; John Robertson on vocals and bass; Joe Bayer on alto and tenor saxophones; and Bill Simpson on trumpet and flugelhorn.
By Ruebling’s estimate, the band averages 50 to 60 appearances a year, from weddings to anniversaries to nights at Pierpont General Store.
West said the versatility of the band has inspired the diversity of venues.
“The beauty of the band is that it can play just about anything,” West said. “We can play Motown, and we can play a little bit of everything, so it’s really good.”
Ruebling’s role as frontman isn’t a coincidence. His knack for making fast friends makes him the best fit for the job, West said.
“Norm makes such good relationships with all these people,” he said. “They all love him and get along with him, and we do too. He’s our brother.”
Ruebling also directs Cougar Brass, a pep band that plays during basketball games for Columbia College. All of his musical outlets have given him purpose and joy.
“I think of it more as just a release from whatever’s going on in my world or my guy’s world in the band,” Ruebling said. “The enjoyment level is unbelievable.”
“I don’t care if I’m playing at the roof on The Broadway hotel or if I’m playing Lodge of the Four Seasons, I just love to play,” he said.
Landing in Columbia
Drawn to Columbia in 1971, Ruebling completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Missouri. He returned 10 years later to take on Marching Mizzou as its director.
After that stint, he switched to the transportation industry, working with Tiger Air Express, before starting the MO-X airport shuttle with Brent “Doc” Moore in 1999.
MO-X shuttles passengers from Columbia to the St. Louis airport. It began as a three-man operation and has since expanded to 100 employees with a charter service now available.
“We struggled,” Ruebling said. “I mean, it’s like any small business. We had our sleeping bags with us; we would sleep on the floor.
“One of us would drive the early one to Kansas City; the other one would drive the early one to St. Louis. We’d come back, drop off our passengers and take a nap. Rich would be working the phones.”
Ruebling won’t take credit for the success of MO-X, instead deferring to his staff.
“We have the best employees in the world,” he said. “You hear a lot of people say that, but I honestly, sincerely believe it. We would not be where we are if it wasn’t for our guys and gals.”
Fighting cancer
Ruebling’s personal journey with cancer began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last fall, when his PSA levels — an indicator of prostate cancer — were rising, radiation was the next option.
Music helped him pass the time during treatments.
“After a couple of days, I timed everything,” Ruebling said. “I’m just gonna sing these songs, and almost every time, I would time the end of the last tune and bingo, it was done.”
Ruebling took his own creative approach to his treatments, but he said his “Rad Gang” is the reason he made it through the ordeal.
Those are the employees of Missouri Cancer Associates that took care of him during treatments, who wore matching MO-X shirts for the last one.
“I wouldn’t have gotten through it except for those ladies,” Ruebling said. “They were so happy to see you. I tell you what — smiles go a long way.”
Coincidentally, he has been working with cancer patients for nearly two decades as part of Pascale’s Pals. The Columbia volunteer organization works on behalf of children and families staying at the MU Health Care Children’s Hospital.
“I really have a soft spot in my heart for kids with cancer,” Ruebling said. “It breaks my heart.”
He has been a part of the PHAT Guys Open, a fundraiser golf tournament held each October, and served as a celebrity bartender Feb. 7 at Pierpont General Store to raise money for Pascale’s Pals.
His friend of 54 years, Mark Niederhauser, said Ruebling can always be counted on to lend his support.
“I don’t know of anything he’s ever said no to if somebody needed some help,” Niederhauser said. “He’ll support and help in any way he can. He’s a giver.”
