Jacob Fuss

Our beloved Jacob died at home Sunday morning, April 17, surrounded by family and friends. Jacob grew up in Wyoming, one of 12 children in a German farming family. He joined the army in 1940, when the threat of war was looming. When the call was sent out, he volunteered for the paratroopers, and became a member of the 101st Airborne . . . a proud Screaming Eagle. He participated in the Africa campaign, jumped into Normandy the early morning of D-Day, was in the Battle of Bastogne, the Battle of the Bulge, and marched into Germany where he participated in the liberation of one of the concentration camps. He won two purple hearts, having been injured in Normandy and in the Battle of Bastogne. After the war Jacob attended the UCLA School of Engineering. His proudest career achievement was working on the life support system of the Mercury astronauts. In 1979 he moved to Santa Cruz to be near his wife?s family. In Santa Cruz he was a founding member of Artisans of Light. He is survived by his wife Joanne Fuss, his daughter Naomi Fuss, both of Santa Cruz, and his last surviving sibling, Dorothea Parker, of Cheyenne Wyoming.

A Qabalistic Requiem will be held Saturday April 23, 2 pm, at Oakwood Memorial Chapel. A reception will follow in the Oakwood Community Hall. Jacob's ashes will be buried at sea off Lighthouse Point the following day.

Donations may be made to Hospice Caring Project of Santa Cruz County, who lovingly helped his family care for him during his final illness.