DR. LOWELL JACOBSON Lowell T. Jacobson, Ph.D., 1978, of Las Vegas, peacefully entered into eternity Dec. 6, 2013, to reunite with his father, Reuben; mother, Elsie; and brother, Russell, who only two months ago passed away. "Dr. J" or "Jake" was born Sept. 22, 1935, in Story, Iowa, and moved to Boxholm, Iowa where he graduated high school. He briefly worked for the F.B.I. but enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953, serving in Korea at the close of the war. After he was discharged, he pursued and earned his B.S. degree in math from Dana College in Nebraska, and taught at the Fredericks Military Academy in Virginia, during which he earned his M.S. in guidance and counseling from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. He joined the teaching staff of the Department of Defense Overseas Schools in 1962, accepting a position in Okinawa, Japan. Then, in 1963, he transferred to Zama High School, Japan, where he taught math and became a counselor at the school. He met and eventually married his wife, Margaret, who was an elementary school teacher at Zama, in 1965. From 1967-1992, he served as assistant principal and principal in high schools and middle schools in Okinawa, Korea, Japan and Germany. He earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1977 while he was principal at Kinnick Middle School in Yokohama, Japan. One of the highlights of his career as principal was the "Outstanding High School of the Year" award that Bonn American High School, Germany, received. It took him to the White House rose garden in Washington, D.C., where he was presented the award from President Reagan. In 1992, he retired from DODDS to take a teaching position at Kunori Urawa University in Saitama, Japan. It turned out to be a wonderful assignment in the Japanese educational system. He attained full professorship and enjoyed 13 super years teaching English and setting up the Computer English Lab Center for the university. It was a "love fest" among the staff and students for this blue-eyed Gaijin (foreigner). He was also involved with the community, teaching English to adult citizens and formed a beautiful bond with all the students, which has continued to the present. In 2005, he retired and returned to Las Vegas to be treated for his medical problem. His family extends their gratitude to all the doctors, staff, caregivers and chaplains who made his final days bearable with compassion and dignity. We are eternally grateful to all our friends and relatives for their love and support during Lowell's long, challenging journey. He is survived by his wife, of 48 years, Margaret; daughter, LeeAnne; sister, MarJean Guderian; sister-in-law, Vivian; stepbrother, Bob Condon (LaVonne); many nieces and nephews; and his beloved Cockers, Mimi and Buffy. Celebration of life memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, with reception to follow, both at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society , Salvation Army, Parkinson's Research Foundation or the Community Lutheran Church at 3720 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89121, in honor of Lowell T. Jacobson.
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