Rick Jacobs

On December 27th 2023, Rick Jacobs, our beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather went to see our Lord in Heaven.

Rick was a force in all of our lives. He was truly the rock of our family.  Rick was the epitome of what a husband and a father is supposed to be.  He was reliable, honest, loving and a great role model for his children and grandchildren.  He was strong in his faith and loved God.  He was always there for us and for all of those that knew him.  This loss we are experiencing, although sad, will have a profound effect on our entire family.  Rick was so very loved, and he so very loved life.  The strength he exhibited throughout the duration of his cancer battle is inspirational.  Rick was a fighter and never gave up.  He fought hard for over 7 years – constantly in and out of doctor’s offices, treatments and hospitals.  Rick never expressed his true pain, he always portrayed a constant strength even throughout the cancer that was steadily taking over his body.  His family appreciated this so much, especially towards the end.  If you know Rick, you know he loved to be involved and disliked having to rely on others.  Rick was not one to sit on the sidelines.  That is one of the many traits that he has passed onto all of us in his family – his STRENGTH.  He was strong until the end, and that is one thing we will always remember about him.

Rick grew up in Bethesda, MD with his parents and 2 brothers, Robert and Steve.  Rick was the middle child in his family.  He loved to be outside with his friends and his brothers.  He enjoyed music very much.  He played the trumpet all 3 years in his high school band and enjoyed being a part of the school programs.  In addition to the band, he was also a strong member of the tennis team (a lifelong passion) and the key club.

After Rick graduated high school, he followed his brother Robert to the Naval Academy.  Rick’s time at the Academy provided many life lessons and instilled in him the values that he carried throughout his life.  His leadership, confidence, technical skills, organization, responsibility and drive were all traits that were acquired at the Naval Academy.  Rick formed many lifelong friendships during his time there.  Those friendships were integral in shaping the Rick we knew.  Growing up, the Naval Academy was the team to root for in any and all sports, but especially football.  He loved watching the Army/Navy game, even when things didn’t go their way.

It was at the Naval Academy where Rick met Cindy McCollough, the love of his life and wife of 50 years.  They met during a naval officer’s club event.  From that chance meeting, their relationship grew from dating to marriage in 1974 to then creating a loving family of 4 with twins Michael and Jennifer, born on Valentine’s Day 1981.

After he graduated from the Academy, Rick started his naval service in the Nuclear Submarine Division.  He served on the submarine, Alexander Hamilton 617, and finished his military duty in the reserves, retiring from the Navy as Lieutenant Commander.  After he left the Navy, he started his professional career at IBM, realizing that wasn’t the right fit for him, he moved into Nuclear power, working at the Nuclear Regulatory Committee.  After his time spent at the NRC, he had the opportunity to move to Atlanta and work at INPO (Institute of Nuclear Power Operations).  It was in Atlanta that he planted his roots and raised his children.

Rick was passionate about his work.  He put in the hours to perform at a high level in his job, while still making time for his family.  He was known for his ability to hold his co-workers, plant managers, and peers accountable.  He wanted things done the right way and didn’t let outside influences persuade him.  He loved working at INPO because he felt the company made a significant impact in the nuclear power industry.  He knew his role provided value and was making a difference in an industry that was important to him.  He retired from INPO in 2010, after 24 years.  It was clear the industry appreciated and respected his contributions, so much so that once he retired from INPO, he was able to very quickly get his consulting business off the ground.  He worked part time consulting while moving to Bluffton, SC and continued that for some time.

It was in South Carolina, where Rick and Cindy were able to start their retirement years.  Rick and Cindy shared a love of travel.  They took many overseas trips, most of them with a strong element of history and religion.  They even made it all the way to Australia to visit their daughter and son-in-law in 2019.  As everyone is aware, Rick was also an avid tennis player.  It was one of his true passions.  He loved tennis and always encouraged his family to pursue the sport as it was a sport “you could play your entire life”.  As time wore on, Rick had limited ability to play due to health issues, but he still got out when he could.  During this transition from playing tennis, he focused more and more on his other hobby, his love for space.  He poured countless hours into educating himself and others on the stars, moons, planets and galaxies, to the point where he would write articles to share with family and neighbors.  It was and is important for his love of celestial space to be passed onto his kids and grandkids.

During his time in Atlanta, GA and Bluffton, SC, he was an integral member of 2 Churches, East Cobb Church of Christ and Grace Coastal Church.  Being an engineer, he viewed religion with a different lens.  He confirmed his belief in God and Jesus through science and numbers – understanding that the creation of life and the world was not by accident but created by God.  He led our family in faith not only through words and lessons but by his actions.  He was a part of the chorus and volunteered in activities in the church.  He was strong in his faith, which is of great comfort to his family and friends during this time of loss.

Rick Jacobs was a Godly, loving, smart, devoted family man.  He leaves behind his wife, Cindy McCollough Jacobs, his daughter, Jennifer Richard and son-in-law Damien Richard and their 2 children, Mallorie and Thomas along with his son, Michael Jacobs and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Jacobs and their 2 children, Ava and Asher.  Rick will be sorely missed and forever in our hearts.  We look forward to the day when we can see him again in heaven.  We love you Rick – have fun up there!

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 4, 2023, Grace Coastal Church, 15 Williams Drive, Okatie, SC  29909 (843) 379-5520. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of Flowers, Rick would appreciate donations to the Melanoma Research Alliance - https://www.curemelanoma.org/ - to support the fight in this disease