Theodore August Jacob

Theodore A. Jacob, 93, Loving Family Man; Active in Church, Community and Scouting Theodore Jacob of Westfield, NJ died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at home on Tuesday, December 31, 2012. Ted lived a happy and fulfilled life. He graduated as Valedictorian from Braddock High School, Pennsylvania in 1937, College of Wooster, Ohio in 1941 – where he met his future wife Eileen, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, NY in 1943, and Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. in 1950. He was the son of Julius Jacob and Mary Yesko. He has survived the loss of 3 sisters and 2 brothers. He is survived by Eileen, his wife of 68 years, his 3 children: Gary, Bob, and Lynn, their spouses: Lin, Dee, and Karl, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Dr. Jacob began work as a research chemist at Merck Shape & Dome in 1949 and retired as a Senior Director of Animal Drug Metabolism in 1986. He was instrumental in the research on B12, cortisone and Ivermectin. Ted was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield for almost 55 years and served the church community in numerous capacities including several terms as deacon, elder, and teacher. He was also a long term member of Boy Scout Troop 72 of Westfield and served the troop in various capacities including assistant scout master and several years as scout master. During his retirement, he continued to serve the community by volunteering as a teacher at the Rahway State Prison. He volunteered at the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ, and, on a weekly basis, at the AGAPE soup kitchen in Elizabeth, NJ. Ted enjoyed dancing, photography, swimming, landscaping, and vacationing in the Poconos and Aruba. He also enjoyed travels in Europe, the Caribbean, and in Alaska. The funeral service was celebrated in the Chapel in The Presbyterian Church in Westfield on Monday January 7th with interment in Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Gray's Life Celebration Home of Westfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 72 Erincliff Island Improvement Project, (c/o Jon Lampert, 523 Alden Ave, Westfield NJ 07090) or the Westfield Presbyterian Church (Ted Jacob Youth Scholarship Fund, 140 Mountain Ave Westfield NJ 07090) Condolences may be communicated through Gray's Funeral Home (www.grayfuneralhomes.com) or directly.