Daniel M. Jacobson

JACOBSON — Daniel M. Jacobson, aged 47, of Marshfield, Wisconsin, passed away at the Palliative Care Unit at St. Joseph's Hospital, July 27, 2003. He fought a courageous, often painful, battle with cancer for almost three years. He was born in East Grand Rapids, Michigan to Stuart and Lynn (Feldman) Jacobson on July 20, 1956. He was a graduate of East Grand Rapids High School. He attended undergraduate college and medical school at the University of Texas at Austin and Houston, respectively. He received his neurological training at the University of Pittsburgh, and his neuro-ophthalmological training at the University of Iowa. Dr. Jacobson has been a staff physician and Director at Marshfield Clinic in the Departments of Neurosciences and Ophthalmology since 1987. He has also been on the Clinical Faculty at the University of Wisconsin Medical School since 1988. Dr. Jacobson took great pleasure in mentoring students and colleagues. In just 16 years at Marshfield Clinic, he established an international reputation as one of the world's finest clinicians, teachers, and clinical scientists in the field of Neuro-ophthalmology. He was the first author of nearly 50 original scientific publications. He wrote, by invitation, numerous review articles and book chapters for prestigious publications. He was invited to be a guest professor and lecturer by numerous medical schools and other medical organizations throughout the world. He is acknowledged by his colleagues in the field of Neuro-ophthalmology to be one of the most influential and remarkable people in his medical field over the past decade. Dr. Jacobson was the recipient of numerous teaching and research awards, including the Gwen D. Sebold Research Fellowship Award from the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation. However, the central passion in Dan's life was his love for his wife, Ruth, (wed on August 17, 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and their three children, Taylor Ann (15), Alex Elizabeth (Allie, 12), and Graeme Scott (8) all of whom were born in Marshfield. They survive Dan along with his parents, Stuart and Lynn Jacobson of East Grand Rapids; Ruth's parents, Richard and Rosemary Romig of Pittsburgh, PA; and Dan's brothers and sisters, Bill Jacobson of East Grand Rapids, Tim Jacobson of Barrington, IL, Debra Davidson of Westchester, NY, Marci Triant of Spring Lake; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a wide circle of colleagues, friends, and patients will greatly miss Dan. A Jewish funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Marshfield at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 30 located on Lincoln Ave. and Adler Rd., with Rabbi E.D. Danson of Dan's synagogue, Mt. Sinai congregation, Wausau, officiating. Immediately after, will be the interment at Hillside Cemetery, Marshfield. There will be three opportunities to personally express condolences or briefly visit with the family. The first is immediately after the burial, at the First Presbyterian Church. The other two opportunities are at the "Shivah" services, which will take place at the family's home on Wednesday and Thursday evening. Shivah is a brief Jewish service open to all of his friends regardless of religious affiliation, where they can personally express their condolences or visit briefly with Dan's family. Rembs / Kundinger Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. A memorial in Dan's name has been set up at the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation. Fund-raising efforts will be made to endow a 'Dan Jacobson Chair of Neuro-ophthalmology'. Marshfield Clinic wants to ensure that Dr. Jacobson's legacy of empathic patient care, critical thought, clear writing and teaching is carried into the future. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations for this cause be designated as such, and sent directly to the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, 1000 N. Oak Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449. Dan and his family were extremely touched and appreciative of the numerous cards, letters and phones calls he received during his illness. His family is immensely grateful for skillful, empathic, and compassionate care that he received by the physicians, nurses, and staff at Marshfield Clinic and St. Joseph's Hospital. Especially at the end of his illness, the nurses and staff on 8 North and the Palliative Care Unit were nothing less than heroic in trying to find ways to help him feel comfortable. Dan Jacobson was a very special person, who will be profoundly missed by many. In the words of Flavia, he left "Footprints on the Heart". "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for a while, Leave footprints on our hearts And we are never, ever the same."