Dr. Keith Peter Jacobi

12/9/1957 - 10/26/2024

Dr. Keith Jacobi, 66, passed away after a long illness on Oct. 26 in Minneapolis surrounded by his family. A highly regarded anthropologist, Jacobi was a tenured professor and chaired the department of anthropology at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa from August 2018 to August 2020. He retired as professor emeritus in 2020. Jacobi was a widely published author on a variety of topics from cadaver detection in forensic anthropology and criminology and evidence of syphilis in mound builders’ bones to understanding warfare related trauma in the prehistoric societies of the Southeast. Beyond his academic credentials, Jacobi was recognized for his passion for teaching. Not lecturing at but listening to and engaging his students for years. In 2018, he was awarded the Outstanding Commitment to Students award by the college of arts and sciences at the University of Alabama.

Jacobi was born in Chicago and grew up loving sports, especially rugby, which he played while at Northwestern. Early on, he became an avid reader along with an interest in anthropology, which was fueled by a trip to the western United states fossil hunting and visiting historic and prehistoric Native American sites with his grandmother Mildred “Moo” Ackley, his mom Harriet “Hattie” Mae Ackley and brother Wyn. He often credited that trip as the spark that ignited his career in anthropology.

A true Chicagoan, his teams were the Blackhawks and the Chicago White Sox. No matter where he lived, he tried to never miss a game. Jacobi graduated from New Trier East High School and then pursued a degree in anthropology at Northwestern University where he did summer field work at the Koster site in southern Illinois.

At Northwestern, he met the love of his life, Lori (Brumund). They were married in Deerfield, Ill., on January 2nd 1982.They continued their education together at Southern Illinois University (SIU) where he earned his master’s degree in anthropology. Jacobi worked with collections from the Black Mesa Archaeological Project—a massive 1977-1983 archaeology project in the Four Corners region of the U.S. —and with collections from a cemetery for enslaved Africans from Newton Plantation, Barbados.

While working on his doctorate at Indiana University, Jacobi taught human anatomy labs for the medical school. Jacobi’s dissertation on genetic structuring in a Maya cemetery resulted in his first published book, “Last Rites of the Tipu Maya.” At the same time, he and his brother pursued their other passion – comic books. They were part owners of Vintage Phoenix in Bloomington. After graduating, he accepted a position at the Alabama Museum of Natural History at The University of Alabama. A few years later he joined the anthropology faculty and later served as the chairman of the department. In 2022 he was recognized by the Alabama Museum of Natural History for the donation of his extensive fossil collection. In the course of his career Keith conducted research in India, Barbados, and Peru. He oversaw the extensive Moundville collection housed at the museum, was a much-loved professor and, as anthropology department chair, he guided the faculty and students through the pandemic. Keith was also a critical resource for local police, helping to identify human remains and was called on for his expertise even after his retirement.

Jacobi’s personality was perfect blend of academia, approachability, boyish charm, humor, and compassion. He had a strong commitment to creative learning. While Keith’s office was filled to the brim with books and collectibles, its true value was that it provided a safe space for all. Classes offered more than just lectures but opened the door to the ancient civilizations and might include a fake mummification or crime scene. He never walked past a book store without going in and had an incomparable personal library filled with collectible sci-fi, fantasy and biographical paperbacks. Given his passion for books, Jacobi was on the board of the Friends of the Library at Tuscaloosa’s Public Library.

Above all, Keith was a dedicated husband and father. Always finding time for his two daughters, Samantha (Hazuka) and Gillian. Preceded in death by his grandmother, who inspired his creative spirit, and his parents, Keith is survived by his wife Lori, his daughters Samantha (husband Ryan), Gillian, and brother Wyn.

The family asks that donations be sent to the Tuscaloosa Public Library in his memory.

To donate please go to https://www.tplfund.org/donations/?campaign_id=29 or mail checks to the below address.

Tuscaloosa Public Library

1801 Jack Warner Parkway

Tuscaloosa AL 35401