Dr. James H. Jacobsen

Dr. James H (Jim) Jacobsen was born on May 6, 1931 in Chicago where he grew up. After graduating from Taft High School, Jim attended Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1954. He taught industrial arts to high school students in Oak Lawn and then Fox Lake in Northern Illinois. While teaching, he received a Master's degree in Industrial Education from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Shortly after, he was hired to teach industrial education at Western Illinois University in Macomb. On sabbatical from Western, he entered a doctoral program at Colorado State University and graduated with his EdD in industrial education after a year and two summers. He spent 30+ years teaching at Western and helped train scores of industrial arts teachers in the Midwest. He enjoyed many visits from past students over the years. His second career grew out of his hobby of buying and refinishing antiques. He was known throughout most of the Midwest for buying, repairing and selling spool cabinets and Victorian furniture. He ultimately retired from that business and moved to Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria 12 years ago. He had a number of other hobbies over the years, including stamp collecting, wood carving and traveling. He also collected antique clocks, celery vases and antique tools. He became a passionate reader in recent years and when he found a new author whose stories he liked, tried to read every book they wrote. While at NIU, he met Kay on a spur of the moment date. They married following his graduation and started their 70 years of adventures together. He and Kay had two children, Steve and Jean. Jean preceded Jim in death. Surviving to celebrate his life well-lived are his wife Kay, son Steve, daughter-in-law Bonnie Edwards, 4 grandchildren, their spouses, 4 great grandchildren, his brother Jorgen, sister-in law Mary Ann and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim never knew a stranger and was always happy to strike up a conversation or engage in some gentle ribbing. He could be counted on for a positive outlook, reflected by 'sky blue pink' being his favorite color. He enjoyed a good meal-but it could always be better topped off with a dish of ice cream. Throughout his life, he loved telling stories of his adventures although in recent years, he relied heavily on Kay to help him recall detail--but he loved to tell the tales, nonetheless. Cremation rites have been accorded. A small family service is planned. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider a donation to Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation at 6901 N Galena Rd, Peoria, IL 61614 or your preferred charity. Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.dodsworthfh.com. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Dr. James H. (Jim) Jacobsen, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.