"Dick" Jacobs did not return to the golf course for one last round after a period of failing health. His family and friends could usually gage his recovery by how quickly he was able to again "swing a club". Sadly, Dick succumbed to his ailments on August 9, 2017.
Many closest to him lovingly referred to him as "Pop" or "Poppy". He was the embodiment of love for life, family, friends, congregation, and community. His extraordinary love of life was evidenced by his lifelong ability to recuperate from illness and rebound from adversity.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut on April 30, 1936, Dick was the son of Saul and Esther Jacobs and brother to Harold B. Jacobs. He adored his brother "Hal" who was 10 years and one day his senior. Dick grew up behind the Embassy Food Market in New Haven, CT, which was the grocery store his family owned and operated.
After graduating from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Jacobs attended the University of Connecticut and served in the United States Army. After graduating from UCONN, he took a job as a stock broker on Wall Street in New York City. He would have a family and settle in Connecticut, but ultimately raised his family in Manchester, New Hampshire. It was there he purchased and ran a printing company for many years. In Manchester, he entered politics, and at that time was an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican Party. In 1980, Dick served as a New Hampshire delegate at the Republican National Convention in Detroit.
Later, he relocated to the Boston area where he opened and operated a small marketing firm, and met and married Ruthe Bowden.
Ruthe and Dick blended their families and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, spending 20 of their years together in the valley. They enjoyed a wonderful life together full of love, family, friendships, good food, travel, golf, skiing, and entertaining. Dick was an avid sports fan, Rotarian and Chamber of Commerce member. Active members of the Temple Solel in the Paradise Valley, Arizona, they found a congregation that they embraced, and a community that truly embraced them. Dick continued to work into his late seventies, and was able to continue all the activities he loved when health allowed.
Among Dick's best attributes were his smile and laughter. He was an easy audience. Sometimes he was self-effacing and often "cracked-up" at his own stories. Everyone knew "it was a good-one" once the white, perfectly folded handkerchief emerged from his pocket. And so it went. Every time.
Dick is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 33 years, Ruthe (Bowden) Jacobs, his daughter, Sarah "Kelly" Jacobs and her fiancée, Paul R. Winslow, of Hampton, New Hampshire, his son, Peter A. Jacobs and his wife, Megan Ullmann, and their children, Phoebe and Vivian, of Portland, Oregon, stepson, Jared Lenz and his wife, Jenna Russell, and their children, Bodie and Eilee Bea, of Bozeman, Montana, and stepdaughter Jessica (Lenz) Malouf and her husband, Joseph Malouf, of Newton, Massachusetts. Also, Ruthe's siblings, their spouses, and nieces and nephews. Dick's cherished King Charles spaniel "Max" also deserves mention.
Dick was predeceased in death by his parents, Saul and Esther Jacobs, his brother, Harold B. Jacobs, his favorite cousins, Edward Calechman, Rebecca Kaplan, and his best friend, Robert Peck.
Indeed, Pops' mantra of "Be well and do good things" shall live on in all of us.
Dick was laid to rest in a beautiful service of Jewish burial on Sunday, August 13, 2017, Rabbi Emily Langowitz, officiated.
Donations in his honor may be made in his name to the American Kidney Foundation, or another charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery.
2 Entries
August 11, 2017
Dick was one of the kindest, sweetest and most loving man I have ever met. He was always friendly and had a kind word for everyone. A very gentle man with a strong spirit. He and Ruthe were deeply loved by me and we will all miss him very much. He definitely left a big footprint in this world and certainly on me.
With love and sympathy,
Markie and Marlee
August 11, 2017
What a wonderful, kind, generous and loving person Dick was. He was a very gentle person with a very strong spirit. I was blessed to have him as a friend who always made me smile. He will be sorely missed.
Markie and Marlee
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