Owen Jacobsen Jr. ’55

Jake died Aug. 15, 2020, in South Hadley, Mass., with his life partner, Sheila Kay, by his side. Jake was born Sept. 20, 1933, in Greenwich, Conn. His father, Owen P. Jacobsen, was a member of the Class of 1924.

Before Princeton Jake graduated from the Lawrenceville School, where he was a varsity swimmer, member of the Periwig Club, and president of Dawes House. At Princeton he joined Cap and Gown and majored in English with a certificate in the American Civilization Program. He won a major “P” in swimming and participated in IAA club football and softball. His senior-year roommates were Neil Wallace and George Ferguson.

After graduation he served in the Navy for two years on destroyer Escort Radar, patrolling the DEW line from Newfoundland to the Caribbean. A fellow officer was Princeton classmate Pete Bott.

Jake’s business focus was the insurance industry, where he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table and was president of the Springfield Life Underwriters Association. He served on the board of selectmen of Granby, Mass., and was a church moderator and a hospice volunteer. He is survived by his life partner, Sheila Key; daughters Heidi, Inge, Suzanna, and Virginia; sons Dwight, Owen, and Eric; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.