In Memory

David Philip Jacobsen - Class Of 1949

David Philip Jacobsen

David Philip Jacobsen, age 89, of Goodyear, Arizona, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away December 23, 2020. Born in Altadena on May 5, 1931, to Jacob and Anna Jacobsen, David was the youngest brother of Beatrice Mullison, Carla Forbes, Donald Jacobsen, and Doris Jacobsen Fisher (SPHS '43). He grew up in South Pasadena where he graduated from South Pasadena High School and attended John Muir College.

In 1953, David married his first wife, Sara Garrabrant. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict where he served until 1955 in the US Army Dental Corps at Fort Ord in Monterey, California. After an honorable discharge, he returned to UCLA and received his BA in Psychology in 1956. He continued with graduate studies at UCLA in hospital administration, and his healthcare career began at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance. David had over 40 years of experience as a hospital administrator throughout California and Colorado. After his divorce, his career took him to Saudi Arabia and Lebanon in the 1980s.

On May 25, 1985, during his tenure as Director of the American University of Beirut Medical Center, David was kidnapped and held hostage by Islamic terrorists under the direction of Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran. He was released in 1986, after 17 months of captivity. Immediately after his release, he was front and center working tirelessly for the freedom of the remaining American and British hostages. David cooperated closely with US Intelligence Services and successfully lobbied Congress to enable American victims of state-sponsored terrorism to sue nations such as Iran for damages. This has become a visible means of justice for the thousands of American victims of terrorism. David spent decades laboring to educate the American Public in the culpability of Iran as the primary source of Islamic terrorism throughout the world.

David returned to healthcare administration in the 13 years following his release until his retirement in 2001. He married his second wife, Joyce Vanek in 1998. Continuing to travel extensively as a motivational speaker and advocate for victims of terrorism, David also authored books on his experience as a hostage and one on the challenges facing healthcare in the United States. Through private, independent efforts seeking his release from captivity, David met and became involved with the human rights and relief organizations Friends in the West and the African Children's Choir, on which he served on the Board of Directors.

David enjoyed tending his garden at his homes in Huntington Beach, Tehachapi, Colinga and Jamul, California and Durango, Colorado. He also enjoyed travel, beginning with family vacations throughout California and across the United States. His international travels took him to Europe, Africa, Central America, and Asia, and he especially loved visiting Rome. Along with his wife, Joyce, David visited over 22 countries around the world.

David believed his greatest purpose in this life was to protect, provide for, and encourage his family and friends (and his dogs). He was unselfish, generous, and determined when it came to helping someone in need. David was always an optimist, even in the darkest times. He is survived by his wife Joyce; his children, Eric and Catherine Jacobsen, Paul and Lori Jacobsen, Diane and Richard Martinez; eleven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The Orange County Register, January 17, 2021