I worked with Jacob at GreatAmerica. Every time Jacob helped me with my computer issues he always did it with a smile and listened to me with his complete attention. He made me feel like I was important. My deepest condolences to Jacob's wife and daughter, family and friends, as well as his team at GreatAmerica. Jacob left us too quickly and too soon. He is very missed.
Brenda Taylor
November 12, 2024
Generous, thoughtful, kind. Razor sharp and chaotically funny. But above all, truly decent. In the darkest time, Jacob believed in me and helped me to remember who I am—and this reflected who he was. He loved his wife and his daughter so much. He loved his family and friends. He loved. And because sadness comes in proportion to the joy we once felt in someone's company, tonight I am inconsolable.
Michael Larson
November 11, 2024
I worked with Jacob at CRPL in Programming for several years and he was terrific to work with. He had a great sense of humor and real gift for working with teens. My favorite story about Jake occurred at Ladd Library where he was coordinating a program where hundreds of kids kicked their shoes off, waited in line, and then entered a large astronomy tent. Handling all this took a great amount of grace, good humor, and infinite patience. A shelver who was working in the nearby vicinity observed all this. Soon she came up to me and said, "'Who is that working over there?'" I explained who Jacob was and that he primarily worked at the downtown library. She exclaimed, "Sheesh! He's really good!" So many of us at the library witnessed that rapport, and later on marveled at the cool programs he posted online during the pandemic and his additional good work. Jacob was well-loved and admired by many; we miss him already! Sympathies to his beloved Chrissy & Cora
Melia Tatman
November 9, 2024
I’m Jacob's Japanese friend. Please let me share the memories with him as my condolence.
When I first met him was in 2010 when he was in Nagoya, Japan. I was his Japanese tutor, but actually he always taught me interesting Japanese comics or novels. Every time we had a conversation time, he said “Let’s go to Bookoff, Shu!” and he bought me Berserk, which is old but legend manga comic books in Japan. Now I am 33 and have a wife and a son, but I still keep all of those books he bought for me. They are over 20 books. And I remember he always hung a headphone on his neck. I asked him why and he answered, "Letting everyone listen to the songs that I like." I laughed a lot. And I remember he bought me some CDs, too.
I can't stop crying and remembering the memories with him.
I have said "thank you" to him, but I couldn’t have thanked him for giving me a fun time and time to practice speaking English. Thanks to him, I could study in America and became an English teacher. He gave me a courage to study abroad.
Thank you and rest in peace, Jacob.
Shu Hirashita
November 8, 2024
Jacob was always so kind, helpful and amazing to work with. He recently helped me alot, (typically, it was user error) and he would never make me feel like i was inconveniencing him. It always made me happy when his name showed up when I called the help desk. My thoughs, prayers and love go out to all of Jacob's family, friends and team at GreatAmerica. He will be missed.
Chris Vachon
November 8, 2024
I didn't know Jacob as well as perhaps many of the others who may have interacted with him in person, part of working remote from the office, but he was always nice, light-hearted, down to Earth, and a helping-hand when one was needed. Reading that he was an English major saddens me more that I never truly connected with him on a more personal level because I am too, and I feel like we would've had a lot in common. But maybe that's a sign that it's never a bad thing to interact more with those around you, even if you don't think you may have anything in common, you might be surprised. You might pass by people every day whom you may think you have nothing worth discussing together at all personally, and that couldn't be further from the truth. I wish only the best to Jacob's family and to stay strong. I will find myself missing what could have been.
Bryce Hudgins
November 8, 2024
What a tremendous loss. My prayers are with you all during this time. I'm so terribly sorry imagining what you are going through. I worked with Jacob over the course of his time at GreatAmerica. He was my go-to because of his personality and attitude. He was an amazing man to work with and I will miss him dearly.
Amanda Rouen
November 8, 2024
I'm sending positive vibes, thoughts, and prayers to you all. Jacob will be dearly missed by all, even his work family. I will miss walking in with him, his headphones on, hearing his belly laugh and most of all his presence. I'm so very sorry that your family has to go through this.
Lindsay Anaya
November 8, 2024
I worked with Jacob at CRPL and he was such an amazing human! I watched him engage with many patrons and his joy in sharing what he knew with them always was a joy to see. I remember playing with the VR set when he was at Ladd and the laughs we had are held close. He was kind, curious, and above all just an amazing human. He loved his family so much and was so proud of them. My condolences to Jacob’s family. I am holding you all in my thoughts.
Tina Pipkin
November 8, 2024
Jacob and I attended the University of Iowa together and became friends over the course of several shared literature classes. We both enjoyed the works of supposedly “serious” authors like Dostoyevsky that were the focus of our studies, but we really bonded over our mutual interest in “low-brow” genre fiction. Once, after I mentioned in passing how much I enjoyed a particular dark fantasy series but could never find a copy of the last novel, Jacob showed up a week later and presented me with a large book in a homemade brown paper cover with the words “Big Book of Pretentious Literature” written on the front—of course, it was an omnibus of the series, including the final novel. We had a great laugh over it. To this day I still have that book, in that handmade cover, sitting on my bookshelf. It makes me grin each time I see it there.
Truly, he will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family.
Ryan Holley
November 7, 2024
I worked with Jacob many times on various system issues, he was the nicest guy, always had a smile on and that smile wasn't a mask - he always seemed like the happiest and friendliest person. Can't imagine what his family is going through, he will certainly be missed.
Matt Peak
November 7, 2024
I only worked with Jacob a handful of times, but each time he was so genuine and happy to help. His personality and humor turned what could be a frustrating technical problem into a moment to laugh. My heart goes out to his friends and family. I hope your happy memories will someday outweigh your grief.
Kerrie Avalon
November 7, 2024
So sorry to here of your loss. I'm sure he is leaving a huge void in your lives. Prays for your family.
Rick and Sallie Blood
November 7, 2024
There are no words to address the loss you are feeling. The world is less without him in it. I went to school with Jake and maintained some contact over the years. My son was so lucky to get to know him when he worked at the library. Jake acted as such a wonderful mentor to the teens there and my son spent hours talking with him and always looked forward to seeing him there. Jacob was outrageously funny and terribly sweet and strange and delightful—this is just the tiny bit I knew of him. He will leave a hole in this life that we will all feel. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Kassia Zalewski Anderson
November 7, 2024
Jacob was a breath of fresh air at GreatAmerica. He helped me so many times with computer things and it was usually something silly that I had done. We laughed a lot and he always left the situation better than when he came in. I will miss his positivity, happiness, and passion for helping others in a genuine way.
Heather Sayasit
November 7, 2024
My family's heart goes out to your family. I only interfaced with Jacob a handful of times at work - and he was always a kind and delightful soul. He will certainly be missed. Sending prayers of comfort your way during this difficult time.
Josie Heskje
November 7, 2024