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Alan Jacobs Obituary
Gainesville- Dr. Alan Martin Jacobs, age 74, of Gainesville passed away at his residence on Friday, August 3, 2007. Dr. Jacobs was born November 14, 1932 in New York, NY. He grew up in New Rochelle, NY and graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1950. He earned a Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics from Cornell University in 1955, a Masters in Physics from Pennsylvania State University in 1958, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Penn State in 1963.
Dr. Jacobs began his professional career as a professor of Nuclear Engineering at Pennsylvania State University and moved to Gainesville in 1980 to become the chairman of the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering department at the University of Florida. He served on the University of Florida faculty for 23 years where he supervised numerous graduate degree candidates. Dr. Jacobs holds eight US patents and conducted a well known research project for the U.S. Army which focused on detecting buried landmines using Compton Backscatter Imaging.
Above all, Dr. Jacobs was a loving husband and great father and played an important and active role in the lives of his entire family. He is survived by his wife Sharon Auerbach Jacobs, of Gainesville, FL, his children Frederick (Mary Jane) of Everett, WA, Heidi Gearhart (Michael) of St. Petersburg, FL, Aaron of Tampa, FL, and Seth of Gainesville, FL, his brother Lawrence Jacobs (Charlotte) of Pacific Palisades, CA, and grandchildren Evan Gearhart of Gainesville, FL and Shayna Gearhart of Gainesville, FL. He was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Amelia Jacobs and his first wife, Evelyn Banner Jacobs.
Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 11:00 am at Temple Shir Shalom located at 3855 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32605. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made to your favorite charity in memory of Dr. Alan Jacobs. Arrangements by MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, 352-376-5361.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Linda (Sevick) Hendricks
August 21, 2007
Dear Heidi and family,
I have so many fond memories of times spent at your home in State College. I can still picture the twinkle in your dad's eye as he would be joking with us. He was kind, smart, humble, funny, and a wonderful father who I know loved you very, very much. My sincerest condolences.
Yara Rios
August 20, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
David & Kathleen Hintenlang
August 16, 2007
It was with deep sorrow that we returned from out of the country to discover the loss of a colleague. No one can truly comprehend the loss that you feel or the sadness that you must be going through, but please know that warm thoughts are reaching out in hopes that your family will find the strength and comfort that this wishes you. With deepest sympathy to your family,
Fred
August 9, 2007
To My Father, my first and last hero, a man whom shall never be replaced. I love you.
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Richard & Francine Sider
August 8, 2007
Sharon and Family,
Alan was one of the legends of the Penn State Nuclear Engineering program. I can close my eyes and picture him in front of the class, chalk dust flying. I clearly remember sitting in his Neutron Transport Theory class and being amazed at how fast he could fill up the blackboard with equations that took us ten times longer just to read and much more time to comprehend.
Alan was one of our greatest inspirations, as we know he was to many Penn State students. We mourn the passing of a great teacher and one of our mentors. We'll keep you all in our prayers.
Richard and Francine Sider
Gail Ravit
August 8, 2007
Dear Sharon and Aaron, Seth, Heidi, and Fred,
Sam and I can not tell you how much we are thinking of you every minute. I pray that you will remember all of the roller hockey trips, boat rides, art shows and boxing tournaments you all shared together. Alan was the most devoted father I knew. Every word out of his mouth was about how he loved his children and grandchildren and you Sharon. I'm home from Maine now, and am flying in to see you all next week. All of our love and sympathy at this time. Love from your college roommate.
Pamme and Joel Taylor
August 8, 2007
Dear Heidi and Family,
The loss of a loved one is difficult and must come as a surprise. Please know you have support in your friends and family and we're here if you need anything. By his description your father, husband, grandfather seemed like an amazing man who accomplished so much.
I remember, Heidi, stories that you told of your father and it was apparent that you loved him very much. They were funny and entertaining and it was so clear that you were proud of him. I'm certain that's how he would want to be remembered.
Both Joel and I are here if you need anything.
Much love.
Diana Dobbins
August 8, 2007
Sharon, I just heard the news about Alan passing. We moved to Orlando 2 years ago. May God bless and keep you and the boys. I pray that he will give you peace and comfort. Love, Diana Dobbins
Keith and Marsha Harben
August 7, 2007
Dear Sharon and family,
Keith and I were shocked to hear about Alan's passing. Our thoughts are with you and the family and if you need anything, please let us know.
With sympathy,
Ira McMaster
August 7, 2007
Dear Sharon, Fred, Heidi, Aaron, and Seth,
Gordene and I send our sincere consolences in your loss. We can not imagine the loss that you each must be feeling.
Please accept our sympathy and prayers. If there is anything we can do please let us know.
Sincerely,
Jack and Gordene McMaster
Olivia Berger
August 7, 2007
Sharon, I'm in Flagstaff, Arizona with my family and heard from Rabbi Kaiman about Alan. My most sincere sympathy on your loss. May he rest in peace!
Olivia Berger
Barbara Nader-Sims
August 7, 2007
Heidi and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of grief.
God Bless.
Jocelyn Bayliss
August 7, 2007
Heidi & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Deepest Sympathy,
Jocelyn & The Gerken Family
Beth Bruce-Eddy
August 7, 2007
Sharon & Family,
I am so sorry to hear. I can't stop crying. You know how much I loved him. He was always there to give me great advice. I will always have fond memories. I am so glad he walked through my life.
LISA TYNDALL
August 7, 2007
Sharon,
We were so sorry to hear about Alan. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Please know we are here for you if you need anything.
The Tyndall Family
Kathy Deschesne
August 7, 2007
Dear Sharon and family,
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Dr. Jacob's passing. "Dr. J," as he was fondly called by his students, patiently and selflessly imparted his vast knowledge and wisdom. His smile and wit were as legendary as his intellect! May your many happy memories give you peace during this time of great sorrow.
Warmest regards,
Kathy Deschesne
UF-NES 1991, 1996
Ellen Gallagher
August 7, 2007
Dear Heidi and Famliy,
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. May you find comfort and peace in the loved ones who surround you.
Renee Barfield
August 7, 2007
Dear Sharon and Family,
may we express our deepest sympathy in your time of sorrow. Dr Jacobs Was a wonderful Man he always had a kind word or smile for all of us. he will certainly be greatly missed.From The Entire Custodal Staff in Renee Barfields Area please accept our condolences.God bless you
Vivian Spear
August 6, 2007
Dear Sharon,
Our hearts go out to you and your family at this time of sorrow.
The Spear Family
Joanne Isett
August 6, 2007
Dear Sharon and family,
I have been numb with grief for you and the family since I heard of Alan's passing. Alan was simply the best at any and everything! I hear his laughter and his beautiful mellow voice. He will always be a treasure to our hearts. My prayers are for your family. I will see you soon.
Dale Herman
August 6, 2007
Dear Sharon and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Allyson Chenery
August 6, 2007
We are all so very sorry to hear about Alan. We all liked seeing him around the building laughing and joking. The thoughts of everyone at Abacus are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Brenda McMaster/Rue
August 6, 2007
Dear Jacob Family,
Words always fall short in expressing ones feelings at such a time, and therefore feel very inadequate. I extend my deepest sympathy to your entire family, and will lift each of you in my daily prayers. Dr. Jacob's is a rare and very sensitive special individual in my memories from years ago in State College, his insight and level of intelligence untouchable.
Your Dad/Husband was a treasure to each of you,as well as each life he touched. May you find a way to hold those treasures deep within your hearts and your memories close and sharp until you meet again. Treasure the memories, they are with you forever, and belong only to each of you forever more.
Love and Prayers,
Brenda McMaster Rue
Terri Sparks
August 6, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time.
Diana Dampier
August 6, 2007
Dear Sharon and Family,
There are no words to express my feelings. I loved Dr. Jacobs and will miss his wonderful smile. I pray that our Father above will comfort you and give you strength. Please accept my sincerest condolences and know that the prayers of all of us from Nuclear & Radiological Engineering are with you all.
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