Robert Earl Jacobs

Robert E. Jacobs, 67, passed away unexpectedly in Florida on February 8, 2023. A graduate of the Class of 1979, The Citadel, The Military School of South Carolina. He excelled as an athlete in basketball, baseball, and was captain of the track and field team. Bob holds the schools high jump record of 6’10”. He was an avid golfer and a longtime member of the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, and board member of United Way and YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Advisory board.

Bob Jacobs was a career YMCA guy…. starting out as a young program director and then serving 36 years in Y’s in Orlando (FL), Memphis (TN), Greenville (SC), Thomasville, (GA), and then Baton Rouge (LA). He was known for helping troubled Y’s around the country. He mentored and consulted young Y professionals his entire career and even after retirement, very often many of them relied on his advice and expertise. He was a master at networking the Y with other agencies and community organizations, such as, the United Way. His door was always open to new ideas and ways to expand the Y’s service to underserved communities. He was a visionary…. Committed to the Y’s mission, its employees and especially the community. There were 3 Y’s when Bob arrived in Baton Rouge in 1997 and under his leadership there were 9 Y’s when he retired in 2017. He helped bring the YMCA to West Baton Rouge and Zachary (LA) where they still thrive today. His impact in the Baton Rouge community was profound, and continues today through his creation of the Cornerstone Endowment Society.

Bob was married to his perfect partner and love of his life, Debbie, for 17 years. After their retirement in 2017, they traveled all around the country in their motor coach creating great memories and making good friends along the way. He was so very proud of his son, Mitch, and said often what an awesome man he’s become.

Survived by his loving wife Debbie Jacobs; son Mitchell; mother Mary Jacobs; sisters, Sandra McCann and Patricia (John) Scherer; brother/sister in-laws Gene (Phyllis) Hampton, Sissy Wehr, Michael (Eds) Hampton, Louis (Vicki) Hampton, Dewey (Lynn) Hampton, Cathy (Scott) Ebberbach, Ron (Angel) Hampton, and numerous nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Bob. Preceded in death by his father, Norbert R. Jacobs and infant brother Norbert R. Jacobs, Jr.; father/mother in-laws, Lester (Rena) Hampton and Audrey Hampton; brother-in-law, Dan Wehr. Longtime friends Norman Chenevert, Dave Hanchey, Rickey Heroman, Randy Bugos, and Henry Provenzano were as close as any brother could be. He loved them all. He will continue to help others as an organ donor.

A Celebration of Life will be at 1:00pm Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Greenoaks Funeral Home-9595 Florida Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70815 with a gathering of family and friends from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in the honor of Robert E. Jacobs, Class of 1979 to: The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409 or online https://foundation.citadel.edu/Victory or call TCBF at 843-953-5277