Jacobs, Merle E. (1918-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Jun 2 p. 9

Birth date: 1918 Nov 30

text of obituary:

MERLE E. JACOBS

Merle E. Jacobs, 89, former Goshen (Ind.) College research professor of biology, of Smithville, Ohio, died April 9, 2008, at Wooster Community Hospital. He was born Nov. 30, 1918, to Paul and Trella Risch Jacobs at Johnstown, Pa.

He married Elizabeth Beyeler on June 7, 1959.

He graduated from Johnstown High School in 1935. After serving in Civilian Public Service at Jasper Pulaski Game Preserve near Medaryville, Ind., and at Howard, R.I., he graduated from Goshen College in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He received a doctorate in zoology as an Eigenmann Fellow from Indiana University in 1953, after which he did postdoctoral studies and teaching at Duke University from 1954 to 1957. He then taught at Bethany College in West Virginia, 1957-61; Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., 1961-64; and Goshen College, 1964-86. During this time he also did research sponsored by the National Institutes of Health in biochemical genetics, which had implications for aging and other health-related issues.

He was an avid researcher into animal behavior. With the help of his video photography, he spent many years teaching in environmental education, both in the community and in camp settings. He had a deep concern for the conservation and wise use of our natural resources. The objective of his research for the NIH and for environmental education was to promote quality of life for all living things.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; four sisters, Twila Armstrong and Dorothea Otto of Davidsville, Pa., Erma Wentz of Somerset, Pa., and Roma Ruth of Harleysville, Pa.; and four brothers, Dwight Jacobs of Arcadia, Fla., Arnold Jacobs of Colorado Springs, Colo., Duane Jacobs of Burlington, N.C., and Donald Jacobs of Lancaster, Pa.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Willard and Gerald Jacobs.

He was a member of Crown Hill Mennonite Church, where memorial and burial services were held.