George Robert Jacobsen

George Robert Jacobsen passed away on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at the age of 71, due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. George was born in 1945 in Portland, OR, to parents Stanley and Doris Jacobsen. He graduated from Jefferson High School, class of 1963, and earned a scholarship to George Washington University in Washington D.C. While attending college, he served as an intern for former senator Wayne Morse, working in the senate office building, and working on the senator’s ranch on weekends. Returning to Portland, he finished his education, receiving his degree in Social Work from Portland State College in 1968, and his Master Degree in Social Work from Portland State University in 1974.

George served in the U.S. Navy as a commissioned naval officer, after attending the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School and the US Naval Justice School in 1968. He was deployed aboard the U.S.S. Taluga AO-62, during the Vietnam War. He retired in 1993 as a Captain in the Navy Reserves, after 25 years of service. While serving in the Navy Reserves, he began his 31 year career in the Portland Fire Bureau, retiring in 2003, as a Battalion Chief. One of his most enjoyable assignments while working in the Fire Bureau was overseeing and working with the Toy and Joy program, where he continued to volunteer throughout his retirement. He also spent much of his time off in the summer months volunteering to help fight forest fires.

He was a third generation of avid fisherman, who enjoyed fall salmon fishing in Garibaldi, OR with friends and family. He was preceded in death by sisters Karlene and Karen and is survived by wife Susan, daughter Jeanne Kilmer, granddaughter Kaitlin Kilmer, sister Kathy Lee, 4 nieces and nephew, and 10 great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Portland Fire & Rescue Toy and Joy Program.