George K. Jacobson 
GEORGE K. JACOBSON 1931-2008 Resident of Pleasanton George K. Jacobson, a Pleasanton resident since 1957, died after a brief illness on August 4, 2008 in Walnut Creek, CA. He was a native, born in Los Angeles in 1931, raised in Hollywood, Smith River, and Crescent City, and was 76 years old. He was an Army veteran, serving 1952-1954, with a year in Korea as an infantryman and operations Sgt. He graduated from Humboltd State University in 1956, majoring in Education, Math an Physics, and earning his teaching credential in 1957. He continued post-graduate classes at several Bay Area colleges for years. He was a math and science teacher at Amador Valley High School for 32 years, retiring in 1989. He taught mainly Geometry, Bio-Med Math, Arithmetic Theory, and Advanced Math. He was an advocate of a 13-month calendar and was a tongue-in-cheek member of the Flat Earth Society. He was an avid sport skin/SCUBA diver. He also enjoyed traveling to all 50 states. He particularly enjoyed trips to Iceland and Scandinavia, where he visited relatives in Eikeskog-Haugesund, Norway, and toured coastal and inland areas for two summers. Jacobson's hobbies included home projects, playing with his toys/tools, repairing and improvising "things" and devising unique and more usable mechanical devices. He enjoyed gardening his 13 1/2 "raised beds" and tutoring high school math for many years. He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Pat; loving children, Loren of Modesto, and Janet of Pleasanton. He is survived by three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He also leaves many treasured students, friends and neighbors. At this request, no services will be held. Neptune Society is handling arrangements. Donations to Amador Valley Scholarships may be made in his memory and mailed to 4665 Bernal Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566.
http://www.legacy.com/ContraCostaTimes/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=115053539
Tom Evans
George Jacobson was the absolute best teacher I ever had (including college). I had him for Geometry and Advanced Math. He always made learning interesting and fun. He had tons of examples of why concepts were important. His teaching gave me the ability to pursue engineering and make it a successful career.
He was so much fun with his Black Walnut Award and the Golden Peanut Award... and man! do you remember his hand drawn circles and straight lines... amazing! He used to tell us stories of his youth that were marginally math related. I remember one day we were supposed to have a test and at the beginning of class someone asked him a question about a story he had once told (knowing full well that it would distract him). He started explaining and went on for a half hour and then declared it was too late to take the test that day.
I always thought I'd go back and thank him for being such a great instructor. I just never got around to it until one day he happened to be walking down a sidewalk next to the office I worked at. I stopped him and "introduced" myself. It was such an honor to tell him what a great influence he was and how much he had helped me. I think of him all the time. Thanks, Mr. Jacobson.
TOM EVANS
Bruce Anglin
Tom, so very nicely stated. He was one of my favorites, too, and for a subject that scared most of us, that says a lot. And I won one of those Golden Peanut awards, somewhere I put away what the question was, just for my owm memories.
I was fortunate enough to have been able to thank him personally. For many years, (not sure if this still happens, probably not), the residents in the Jensen Tract (across the street from Amador) had a summer street party where all of the residents, past and current, would gather for a HUGE bbq. After my mom died in '78, my father, Bob Anglin married Beverly Lester who's family once lived in the Jensen tract (her kids Michael Lester '73, Mary Lester '76?, and Mark and Matt Lester). So one year I went with a few of my Lester step-brothers and my step-mom to the bbq, and ran into George Jacobsen. Had a nice chat with him and thanked him and I'm so glad I did that.
William Charles Greeson
Yes, Mr. Jacobson was a terrific teacher who could make an often dull subject (geometry) fun. Besides being in his class I worked for him after school, tending his garden, for a couple of years. His honest joy at seeing students come up with creative solutions was something that has always stayed with me, and something I carried with me into my classes when I was teaching. But no one could ever match those perfect circles he could draw on the board with a swing of his arm. And, for those of you who were priviledged to witness it, he could do a mean sling shot with a lemon (to demonstrate ballistics). I'm sorry he's gone.