Brent Jacobsen

BRENT JACOBSEN IDAHO FALLS , ID -- Brent Neil Jacobsen passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 8, 2007, at his home in Idaho Falls at the age of 60. Son of Elmo Alvin Jacobsen and Frances Phyllis Pitts, Brent was born on August 23, 1946, in Heber City, Utah. He spent an idyllic childhood growing up in the Wasatch Mountains with his three older brothers, Gordon, Robert and Steve, and graduated valedictorian of Wasatch High School in 1964. Brent attended Brigham Young University where, after serving an LDS mission in England, he decided to major in British history. He married Carla Virginia Mitchell in the Salt Lake Temple in 1969 and graduated magna cum laude from BYU in 1970. Brent continued to explore his love of English history during his graduate studies at Ohio State University. His master’s thesis was entitled “Sir Francis Walsingham and Elizabethan Espionage.” Brent returned to BYU and earned a second masters degree in Library Science in 1974. Brent and Carla had two children together, Richard Brent in 1972 and Shelley Elizabeth in 1974. The family moved to Idaho Falls in 1974, where Brent began work for the INEL Technical Library, becoming manager of the library and working there with dedication for 32 years. Brent and Carla were divorced in 1981. In 1983, Brent married Stella Louise Abbott, and together they raised his children and Stella’s two children, Shaun Wesley Oswald and Kathleen Mary Oswald. Brent was deeply devoted to his family, friends and community. His gentle and generous spirit was accompanied by a wry sense of humor that remained with him to the very end of his life. He loved animals and his home was never without cats, dogs and, for many years, exotic fish. Brent was a prolific hobbyist, applying his creativity and intelligence first to the piano and painting, and later to carpentry, Civil War history and stamp collecting. As an adult, Brent suffered from FSH muscular dystrophy, an inherited muscle degenerative disease. In spite of the disabling effects of his disease, Brent persevered with his hobbies and domestic and professional duties as long as his health would allow. Brent is survived by his wife Stella, children Richard (San Francisco, CA) and Shelley (London, UK), step-children Kathleen (Idaho Falls, ID) and Shaun (Houston, TX), brother Robert (Layton, UT), sister-in-law Elaine Fullmer (Idaho Falls, ID), one grandson, and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the staff of Aspen Home Health for their skilled and loving care during Brent’s illness. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2007, at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 270 N. Placer Avenue with Father Bruce Henne officiating. A viewing will be held Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave, and Thursday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations to support muscular dystrophy research can be made to the FSH Society (fshsociety.org). -------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Florence, Janeen, and Patty (Salvesen) Korell Dear Stella, Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Victoria Smith victoria.smith@kingsturge.com I only met Brent for a short period of time on his trip to the UK for Shelley and Oliver's blessing however, in just this brief period of time he touched all of our hearts. We would like to send our deepest sympathy to the family he has left behind. Our thoughts are with you all. All our love, Victoria and Gill, Victoria Smith, Assistant Surveyor King Sturge LLP - Landlord and Tenant, 30 Warwick Street, London W1B 5NH Tel +44 (0) 207 087 5414 Fax +44 (0) 207 087 5420 www.kingsturge.com Linda Evenson Dear Stella: I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for you and your family. Brent was a very nice man. My prayers are with you. Eula Baldwin gozzie@cableone.net Stella, I'm sorry for your loss. Brent fought a fierce battle and so have you. May the future be more kind. God bless. Eula Baldwin Jim Thompson In my 40 years association with the Site, there was not one employee I admired more than Brent Jacobsen. He was my hero! I am truly saddened that I didn't take the time to visit him more often these past few years. Sheila Theobald-James Please know that you have all of our condolences and prayers with you. Sheila and Jimmie James Wendy Hernandez wshernandez@aol.com Dear Stella, I saw Pam Summers at the mall last Friday and she told me about Brent. I am so sorry for you loss! You and your family are in my prayers and I wish you the best. I am working at TRA now, but not in Training, and I miss the "Training Coordinator" days, and our fun, but lively TC Meetings. Love, Wendy Jerry Duke jerryduke6@msn.com Brent was my best friend from 1958 to 1968. We did everything together, I loved him like a brother. I wish I had kept a better connection with him these last thirty years. Yet, when I heard about his passing, I felt a deep loss. He was the best. May the Lord bless and comfort you, and may the memories of Brent continue to bless your lives. I know they will mine. Best wishes, Jerry Wanda Sorensen Warbis wjswrjw@msn.com Dear Stella, I worked with Brent at the INEL years ago and think him to be one of the best people I have ever known. You maybe remember me? My husband and I live on top of a mountain near Boise now, so I just recently received the Obituary in the mail from my sister. I first quickly scanned it to find your name, hoping that you and Brent had remained married. I'm so, so sorry that I didn't somehow manage to see you and Brent in recent years. The Obituary is well written; the picture, just right. I especially agreed with "deeply devoted to his family, friends, and community" and "His gentle and generous spirit was accompanied by a wry sense of humor. . ." I so hope Brent wasn't miserable long before death. It's hard to understand how someone so good has to suffer poor health and a short life. Stella, I am sad for you and truly wish you the best. Love, Wanda Sorensen Warbis