Stephen Merrill Rubicam of Paradise Valley, Arizona and East Boothbay, Maine passed away on the evening of April 23, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizon at the age of 77. Steve had a beautiful life that journeyed all across the United States. He was born in New York, New York in 1945 to Bettina Hall Rubicam and Raymond Rubicam. At the age of one, he moved with his family to Scottsdale, Arizona. He spent his childhood split between the open desert of the wild west of Arizona and the tranquil and serene beauty of Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Steve grew up on Jackrabbit Road in Scottsdale, attended Kiva Elementary School and later The Judson School to which he rode his horse, Jill, along the dirt roads. He won a trophy for Best Western rider. Without the benefit of air conditioning, school got out earlier and the school year began later in Arizona than in Maine. Twice a year, in the family station wagon, Steve, along with his mom, grandma, sister Joan, cat and dog made the journey across country between Scottsdale and Juniper Point. His father wisely took the train. Not wishing an exuberant Steve to be out of school while the Maine children were still in attendance, Steve would start and end the school year in West Boothbay Harbor at the two-room schoolhouse on Lakeview Road.

Later, Steve attended high school at the Millbrook School in Millbrook, New York and Avon Old Farms in Avon, Connecticut. He attended college at Claremont in California and finally landed at the University of Arizona, where he received his bachelor’s in government. However, it was photography that really caught his eye, and in 1970, he settled down full-time in Boothbay to start his photography business.

Boothbay Harbor is where he met his wife, Christine, and they worked side by side running and operating their photography business. During his career, the subjects at the end of his lens varied greatly. He photographed nursery school children, US Presidents, the building and sailing of magnificent yachts, products for catalogs and beautiful homes throughout the state. His published works were included in The Wall Street Journal, Sailing Magazine and Down East Magazine among others, including the Boothbay Register. He was an early adopter of digital photography. His three children, Charlotte, Raymond, and Julia could often be found greeting customers at the photo studio on Atlantic Avenue.

Steve served on the Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen. He was an active member of the Boothbay Region Fish and Game Association, serving on its board and in later years as its webmaster. Wiley Pond was a favorite fishing location.

Steve could always be found with a camera around his neck, as he not only wanted to witness and enjoy the world around him, but he also wanted to capture the feeling and stories of the subjects he found. In adulthood, the cross country trips between Maine and Arizona continued with Christine, where they met people from all walks of life along their way. He was interested in everyone’s story and sharing those remarkable stories with those he loved. And, of course, he took the opportunity to fish any river he could find along the way. In 2019, after closing his photography business, he and Christine retired to Arizona. He continued summering in Maine.

Steve was an avid fisherman and boater. He loved being out on the water and taking in all the beautiful places fish like to live. He will be remembered for his energetic and vivid storytelling and his vibrant laugh; for his crazy stories from his wild youth and adulthood; for his intense and thoughtful political discourse with his friends and family; for his folk and hillbilly rock n’ roll living room guitar playing; and for being a generous friend, Dad, and Pop. He was the most enthusiastic supporter of those who had the fortune of calling him Dad, with his continual “way to go’s” and words of encouragement. He was immensely proud of his three children and told them so without fail.

Steve lived life to really live it— wholly and to the fullest. Unfortunately, the profound health difficulties of the past two years in the end overwhelmed him. He will be remembered as fishing for stripers out on his dock in Linekin Bay or fishing for Trout in Wiley Pond or the Salt River. Tight lines, Pop.

Steve is survived by his wife, Christine; his daughter Charlotte Rubicam and her husband Matthew Byrne; his son Raymond Rubicam; his daughter Julia Clouse and her husband Andrew Clouse; and his four grandchildren Margaret Byrne, Caroline Byrne, Emmaline Clouse, and Henry Clouse. He is predeceased by his parents and his four sisters. He touched so many people’s lives and so many touched his— with countless lifelong friends he considered family.

A Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Boothbay Harbor, Maine and this fall in Paradise Valley, Arizona.