ORONO – Richard Morris Jacobs, Ph.D., 72, died May 31, 2007, surrounded by his loving family at a Bangor hospital. He was born Jan. 9, 1935, in Denver, the son of Maurice Edward and Tresa Stephanie (Zisk) Jacobs. Richard was professor of music at the University of Maine, School of Performing Arts, for 34 years and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1997. Dr. Jacobs performed with the Bangor Symphony for 39 years, 33 of which he was principal clarinetist. He also served on the Bangor Symphony Orchestra board, and conductor search committees. At various times during his career at the University of Maine he served as chair of the Music Department, director and guest recitalist for the UM Summer Chamber Music School, director of Maine Summer Youth Music, and director UM Summer Concert Series. He played a major role as music consultant on the building committee for the Maine Center for the Arts. Dr. Jacobs dedicated his life to music through performance, research, teaching, writing, administrative leadership and as a strong advocate of music education in the public schools. He is remembered by thousands of Maine music students as a dedicated, enthusiastic and caring teacher. To encourage excellence in young musicians he, with his dear friend Bob Modr, co-founded the first District Maine Music Educators Solo and Ensemble Festivals in 1975, and the following year organized the first Maine State Solo and Ensemble Festival. He continued as director and host of the State Festival all through the 1980s. In 1981 Richard and his wife spearheaded the creation of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra annual Maine High School Concerto Competition which continues to inspire young musicians. In preparation for the United States Bicentennial Celebration, Dr. Jacobs and Bob Modr founded the Jeremiah Colburn Fife and Drum Corps. For two and a half years this Corps of young musicians, grades six through nine, along with parents, militia and camp followers, performed on period instruments and in authentic costumes in parades and celebrations throughout Maine and New England. His years dedicated to music education culminated in his induction into the National Music Educator’s Hall of Fame in May of 2007. Richard was an enthusiastic sailor and served as teacher, secretary and commander of the Penobscot Bay Sail and Power Squadron receiving awards for excellence in teaching. Richard was a loving husband, son, father and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Sally (Cope) Jacobs; his mother, Tresa; daughters, Stephanie Lull and husband, Gregory, of Portland and Jennifer Leech and husband, Andrew, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; son, Jefferson Martin Jacobs and wife, Carla, of Alaska; three grandchildren, Zachary Jacobs Lull, Connor Jacobs Leech and Quincy Grace Leech; uncle, Chester Zisk; cousin, Portia Fleetwood Bergman and husband, Dave. Friends are invited to gather with the family 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 8, at Brookings-Smith LaBeau Chapel, 72 Main St., Orono. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 234 French St., Bangor, with the Rev. John Wingert presiding. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial gifts, for support of the High School Concerto Competition, to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra Endowment, in Memory of Richard Jacobs, P.O. Box 1441, Bangor, ME 04402-1441. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
RICHARD MORRIS JACOBS
