Richard "Dick" Jacobsen's Obituary
Richard “Dick” Jacobsen moved on to his next “Big Adventure,” on Monday, June 24, 2024, at the age of “96” joining (just barely one year later) his beloved wife of “75” years, Edna. Dick and Edna “danced” through life together. They were an amazing team and spent every day working side by side. It was always “Dick and Edna”! Together they ran their Real Estate office, Jacobsen Land Company/Jacobsen Realty, for well over 50 years. Through the years, they enjoyed many adventures. They travelled to Hawaii, Denmark, France, and went on Alaskan, Caribbean, and Panama Canal cruises. They visited relatives and friends in Iowa and attended Navy Reunions across the country. Dick and Edna spent many enjoyable weekends at their beach home and at the Roslyn house where Dick loved sitting on “the bench” in downtown Roslyn reminiscing with the local old timers about “the good old days.”
Dick was born late in October on a crisp and cold Iowa Fall Day. He was second in a family of seven children. As a child of the Depression, he learned early in life that he needed to fight for survival. At seven years old, he began delivering milk and setting bowling pins at the local bowling alley. His sales career began with a job selling “White Cloverene” ointment, door to door. He was a born salesman and enjoyed selling from that day forward. Dick became a performer at an early age. At one point, he was cajoled into shaving his head and singing a “Spanish Cavalier” on the stage at the county fair. Audiences responded by throwing pennies on the stage. Those who really appreciated that freckled faced young boy’s performance threw nickels onto the stage! His sister, Kathy, collected the coins, so they would have money for food. Throughout his life, Dick loved to dance and to sing, and Happy Hour at The Lodge was his favorite activity!
School was never Dick’s “cup of tea.” So, while a sophomore in high school he decided to join the Navy. Since Dick was only 16 years old, he needed his parents’ signatures to enlist. At 17, he spent his first Christmas away from home in Little Creek, Virginia. He trained to become a “Frogman,” (UDT, Underwater Demo Team) the original SEALS, but almost drowned. He boarded his ship, the LSMR 409 (Landing Ship Medium Rocket), in South Carolina which carried 5,000 rockets on it. His ship was off to Europe, but plans changed because too many German U Boats were sinking everything in sight. Next, Dick’s ship was part of a Flotilla headed to the South China Sea and then onto the invasion of Japan, but the BOMB dropped…the War was over! On Dick’s way back to Iowa, he passed through Bremerton, and he never forgot that beautiful country.
Once back in Audubon, Dick finished high school and met the Love of His Life, Edna. One year later they were married! They started their family of three kids (Connie, Cindy, and Steve). Dick worked for Iowa Public Service but longed to be his own boss with his own business. He bought the local “Pool Hall,” which meant long hours away from home and family. As Edna described, “In 1960, the pioneering instinct overcame our young Jacobsen Family. We packed up and headed West to the beautiful Northwest that Dick had experienced in his Navy days, leaving behind our family and friends to seek our fortune. We never looked back!”
Dick engaged in many jobs over the years until he got the “Land/Real Estate Bug,” buying and selling all types of Real Estate, putting together partnerships, and developing land projects. Until his dying day Dick was still talking about putting “deals together.” Dick never retired! He was a 60-year member of the Tacoma Elks Club, a founding member of the Tacoma Young Men’s Business Club, a member of the Pierce County Realtors, Eagle’s, and Peninsula Lutheran Church.
In 1964, as a very fresh “Washingtonian, Dick joined a group and climbed Mt. Rainier! He never backed down from any new challenge…as long as the challenge was his idea! Dick loved hunting and took many hunting trips over the years all over the Western United States and into Canada. His favorite yearly hunting trip was over to the “Ranch” outside Republic in Eastern Washington. His elk (Jake) proudly hangs in the Lodge at Mallards Landing where Dick lived his last two years. His other elk will proudly hang in the future Boarding House next door to the Roslyn House, his sheep hangs in the Beach House in Gig Harbor. Add to that list are his moose, buffalo, deer, and the list goes on…
Dick was such a “Force of Life,” and had many life experiences in his “96” years. He was never at a loss for words and LOVED to tell his many, many stories. He would always say, “I did it my way!” The first words out of Dick’s mouth if you had an idea that was not his were, “Nope! Not interested.” Then once he thought about it for a while or after Edna talked to him about it, the idea suddenly became his, and he was all for it!
Dick was a truly kind and generous man. If somebody needed something or if he thought they needed something, he made sure they got it! His Danish Heritage was important to him. He had strong family values. He loved his family and this Country with all his heart! Dick’s twinkling blue eyes, booming voice and special little smirk will be his legacy to his family and friends. His memory will carry on through his children, Cindy (Steve), Steve (Tina); grandchildren, Ryan (Teri), Kari (Ryan), Chad, Jonathan (Monique), Brett (Ashley), Jordan (Lauren), Joel (Brittany); great grandchildren, Raiden, Keeva, Maeve, Runa, Smith, Kampbell, Kennedy, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Remember, in Dick’s words, “Keep an Upper Lip, Keep Going!”
A very special “THANK YOU” to the “ENTIRE” staff at The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing in Gig Harbor who were so kind and caring to Dick and his family! Also, “Thank You” to his entire Continuum Care Hospice team!
Dick’s Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, July 31, at 2pm, in the Aspen Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood, WA 98499
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating, in Dick’s name, to The Lodge Employee Appreciation Fund. Checks may be made out to LREAF and sent to The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing at 7083 Wagner Way NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335
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