Jacob R. Dee

About

Emory University University of Illinois

Jacob Dee Obituary

Jacob Robert Dee, 41, died August 14 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He worked for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, where he made significant contributions to the suppression of HIV in the Caribbean and in Africa. He was the CDC's Chief for Strategic Information and Science in the Congo, and in that capacity he did transformative work in data analysis and visualization that profoundly improved the global HIV program. He was beloved by his father, Ivan; his mother, Phyllis; his stepmother, Barbara; his brothers, Gabriel, Alexander, and Joshua; his sister, Sara; and by his extended family and many good friends and colleagues. Jacob was born in Chicago, grew up in Evanston, and studied at the University of Illinois. He did graduate work in Victorian literature on a fellowship at Princeton, then worked in service organizations in Chicago before taking a degree in public health at Emory University and joining the CDC. He had a noble spirit, a fine intelligence, a subtle wit, and a dedication to humanitarian service that endeared him to many around the world. His loss is a great sorrow. Contributions in his memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders.

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Published by Chicago Tribune from Sep. 1 to Sep. 4, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Jacob Dee

8 Entries

Chris Bower

September 21, 2024

I am just learning that Jacob passed away. We were friends in college in Champaign-Urbana and he was my writing partner for The South Farms Review, a comedy magazine that was his brainchild and a ridiculous extension of who we were in the late 1990s, making fun of everyone and having the best time in the world. I was in touch with Jacob enough to know about his adventures from leaving literary academia for the world of public health, and there was never a doubt that he would find his place and continue to be an incredibly witty, sometimes bitingly hilarious, hyper intelligent person. I am so touched to know that he was a good friend to many and that he helped make the world a more tolerable place and I am deeply sad that I didn't get a chance to speak with him again and to make a new issue of The South Farms Review in our late 40's that at least 20 people would read, and at least 15 of them would like. Rest in peace, Jacob.

Alex Jarz

June 23, 2022

As a college classmate of Jacob, I was very sad to recently learn of his passing. I always respected his sharp intellect and sincere friendship. My deepest condolences go to his family.

Gordon Greenblatt

January 20, 2021

Jacob and I were best friends growing up but drifted apart in highschool, it comes at no surprise how deeply his passing saddens me.

When I heard the news the attached photo was the first image that came to mind. I haven't thought about this photo in more than twenty years but I knew exactly where it was.

My deepest condolences.

Emily

September 17, 2019

I met Jacob at CDC in 2010, and we had a rare connection in that we had both worked in Bangladesh at ICDDR,b, and stayed with the same host. We quickly bonded sharing stories of those experiences. Jacob was an ideal colleague, a joy to work with and to have around the office. Though so unique himself, he managed to work with everyone seemingly effortlessly. He was brilliant, exceptionally rational, always calm. He provided countless laughs, occasionally succumbing to laugher himself, while regularly expanding others' perspectives on a myriad of issues. I admired him a great deal, knowing he was profound, and often wishing I could grasp the depths of life he seemed to. There are simply too many good things to say about Jacob, the way he lived his life, and the standards he upheld. We could use a lot more Jacobs in this world, and it's tragic to have lost him. I will think of him, and the lessons he taught me, often. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

Aaron

September 10, 2019

I had the pleasure of working with Jacob for about two years in Atlanta. Calling his wit subtle is a modest understatement - he is perhaps the wittiest person I have ever met. And such a righteous person, for example I was amazed by his willingness and dedication to commuting 45 minutes by bike to work each day on crazy Atlanta roads. He will be missed by so many of us.

September 7, 2019

To Ivan and family,
we were saddened to read of your son's death
and send our condolences.
Thinking of you,
Marty and Donna Rosenbush

FERN BERGER

September 1, 2019

Dear Ivan and Phyliss,
I was so sorry to read about the loss of your beloved son and exceptional young man. He was really an outstanding person .
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
COUSIN FERN

FERN BERGER

September 1, 2019

Dear Ivan and Phyliss,
I read with sadness the passing of your dear and beloved son Jacob. I am deeply upset to read about such a well educated and well versed young man.Please express my deepest condolences to your family. I remain your cousin.
FERN

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