PAUL ROBERT JACOBSEN
August 22, 1960 – February 14, 2025
Boise – Paul Robert Jacobsen, age 64. After almost a two-year battle with brain cancer, Paul passed away peacefully at his home with his wife, Andie by his side on February 14, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.
Born on August 22, 1960, in Minneapolis, Minn. The family later moved to Nebraska, where he experienced life in mid-western America. It was there that Paul began his educational journey which saw him excel at every Academic level from grade school through college. In 1971, Paul and his mother Karmen, with brother David relocated to Shafter, California. He graduated from Shafter High in 1978 and then attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he graduated in 1983 with a degree in accounting. While at Cal Poly, Paul excelled in academics and his inspiring guitar playing...rock and roll. This laid the foundation for his lifelong passion of music. He later played in local Church worship and rock bands. Through the worship music and his CPA business, he gained strong friendships.
Paul began his professional career after he received his Idaho CPA license on March 27, 1984 and then joined the CPA Firm, Coopers & Lybrand in Boise, Idaho. After a few years in Boise, he relocated to Fresno, and later earned a Masters in Taxation degree from San Joaquin College of Law.
Later, he moved to Visalia, where he continued his career in public accounting until he retired in December of 2022 celebrating a 40 year career at retirement.
Paul had unique skills as a CPA. He made his clients feel cared for; did research necessary to support them and was always interested in educating them about tax law and their personal situations. He could explain complex rules so that anyone could understand them. In addition, he was an out of the box thinker in coming up with innovative solutions to complex problems. His solutions and approach to the practice were based on practical and common-sense answers. In addition, Paul's professional ethical standards were the highest. And all this was often done with a large dose of comedy involved. Paul knew how to make people laugh, and his clients loved him for this. He was also the past president of the Tulare-Kings County Estate Planning Council. While not providing CPA services, Paul's uncanny ability with numbers allowed him to develop a passion to excel in the more complicated investments of futures, stock options and other stock market tools. He loved this almost as much as his music and it was something that he did up to his last days. He was an avid reader and enjoyed other professional organizations; church and recreation sports leagues and attending many Cal Poly sporting events, which he enjoyed with enthusiasm. He would drive from Visalia on any given day to watch a game and return home later that evening. He was a season ticket holder and enjoyed attending The Mustang Madness banquets where he would host a table for friends. When he had the time, he would often spend the night at his favorite spots in Shell Beach or Avila Beach with friends. After moving to Idaho, he would still make time to attend Cal Poly events and enjoy a few of his favorite Central Coast restaurants.
Paul is now "playing his guitar in Heaven" a wish he shared before his passing. He is survived by his wife, Andie Jacobsen, younger brother, David Jacobsen (Tonya), niece, Haley Jacobsen, daughter, Baylee Chelossi and mother, Karmen Jacobsen. Andie is grateful for the support from family and friends who were able to visit with Paul over the past year. Brother, David remembered Paul as his inspirational older brother, business partner, motivator, and mentor. For his friends, he was an uncle to their kids and would tease, wrestle, play music or share a good milkshake.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in Boise, Idaho followed by a celebration in California. Details will be available from family and friends.
Paul and his family and friends express their deep appreciation for the care provided by the doctors and staff and Saint Luke's Hospital in Boise.
www.bakersfield.com/obitsPublished by Bakersfield Californian on Feb. 25, 2025.