H.R. "Bob" Jacobs

Bob, as he was known by many, was born Harold Robert Jacobs, on September 25, 1939 in Merced, California, the son of Myrtle and Sam Jacobs, and older brother to sister Frances. He was named Harold Robert for both of his grandfathers; Harold Dougherty and Robert Jacobs.

​

Grandson, son, and brother.

​

It's fair to say Bob's boyhood was happy and filled with cherished memories and many adventures. It may be easy for many of us, used to thinking of Bob as a man in his later years, to forget what he must have been like when he was young -- riding horses with his grandfather in Yosemite, earning money with a paper route, playing the trumpet in his high school marching band, building hot rods, and cruising the main streets of Merced.​ And yet of course, that is exactly what he was. 

​

"Once a Marine, Always a Marine."

​

Bob began his transformation as a Marine right out of high school during the Vietnam war, which was a time of great change and danger. Not many answer this call but he did. He went on to serve 20 years, 3 of which were tours to Vietnam and completed time in the enlisted, non-commissioned, commissioned and warrant officer ranks before he retired from active service. Perhaps it was through the Marines that dad got his fighting spirit, unwavering grit and sound character. As the Corps proudly claims, they take a few good men and mold them into better men.

​

Beloved husband.

​

As defining as it was, the Marine Corps was not the most important thing in his life, that clearly was his wife, Della and his family. Bob met Della while on leave one day in Merced through his sister Frances. They married in the spring of 1965 and began their 56 year journey together. Bob and Della travelled together on many adventures and shared the love of moving-so much so that it became a family joke. But all laughing aside, Bob was truly gifted with his hands and left every house they owned better than when they bought it. He thoroughly enjoyed renovating.

​

Loving father.

​

Bob had two children, his son Robert and daughter Maureen. As a father, Bob was always there for his children, ready to lend a helping hand whenever they needed it, as kids or adults. Whether it was making Halloween costumes, helping them study, fixing their bikes and later, their cars. His love for his children also extended to his daughter-in-law Claudine and son-in-law Paul.

​

Warm and affectionate grandfather.

​

And as you'd expect, grandchildren were a major part of his life in later years.  Bob had three grandchildren. Bob's grandchildren started arriving with Paul and Maureen's children; first Sean, followed by Theresa and later Robert and Claudine's son, Cormack.

​

It was as grandparent that, like some others of his generation, Bob perhaps found it easiest to be warm and affectionate. As a grandpa he rocked Sean for hours, went to countless ice skating events and volleyball games for Theresa and built Cormack a rocking horse and later loved listening to Cormack play the saxophone and would always ask about his baseball games.

 

Devoted friend. 

​

Also important to Bob was friendship. And this is shown so well by the kind way my mother's brothers and sisters welcomed him into the family. Bob loved all of Della's family like they were his own. He considered himself blessed to have had them in his life. He loved to spend time with them and hear all the stories and updates in their lives and those of his niece and nephews as well great nieces and nephews. I know that they will miss him just as we will. 

 

He was a special friend to Della’s sister, Mamie. One of Mamie’s best memories was the watercolor drawing they did together of her pet rabbit, Kojak which she fondly kept hanging above her bed in Teach Nua, Ireland until the day she passed. 

 

Second home.

 

A special part of Bob's heart belonged to Ireland where he was welcomed by the Irish people and Della's extended family. After retiring there, he found himself a new vocation and enjoyed painting Ireland's fields, stone walls, thatched cottages, and was especially fascinated by scenes of rustic Irish life. 

​

"Always faithful."

 

Bob had been fighting cancer for some time, and so the end, when it came, was some ways welcome, relieving him as it did of his pain. 

Bob passed away on the Marine Corps' 246th birthday. For those who have earned the title of Marine, Nov. 10 is celebrated as if it's their own birthday for more than two centuries. Indeed, his brother-in-law Peter McHugh, also a Marine, would always call Bob on Nov. 10 to say happy birthday.

​

Bob was a strong, hard-working, honest man who stood up for what he believed and was willing to protect his family and country. Not only was he a wonderful father, extremely devoted to and proud of his family, but a person who has and always will, serve to be a great inspiration to others.
The marine motto of “always faithful” is exactly how he lived his life.

We love him and miss him dearly.