(From Holden Funeral Service)Our father, Robert Lane Jacobsmeyer, passed away peacefully in his sleep early in the morning of October 5, 2022, at his home since February 2022, Lakewood Assisted Living in Springfield.
His health had declined slowly, but steadily since his 90th birthday on April 1st of this year. We were fortunate and blessed to have spent much quality time with him in his last months. Dad had written his own obituary and had given it to us sometime prior to 2007. The majority of the words below are his:
Robert Lane Jacobsmeyer was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 1, 1932 (the “ultimate April Fool’s joke”) to Raymond H. Jacobsmeyer and Thelma Laverne Hodgins. He moved with his family to Springfield, Missouri when he was just three months old. The move was the result of his Father’s transfer to Springfield with the Frisco Railway.
Robert Lane Jacobsmeyer was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 1, 1932 (the “ultimate April Fool’s joke”) to Raymond H. Jacobsmeyer and Thelma Laverne Hodgins. He moved with his family to Springfield, Missouri when he was just three months old. The move was the result of his Father’s transfer to Springfield with the Frisco Railway.
Robert’s early years were spent on Loren Street, across from Phelps Grove Park where he spent many happy days and summer evenings. Phelps Grove played an important part in his early childhood memories.
He attended Rountree Elementary School, Jarrett Junior High School, and Senior High School, (now Central), graduating from SHS in 1950. He then attended Drury College (now University) before interrupting his college education to serve two years on active duty during the Korean War with the United States Naval Reserve, serving most of his time on board the USS Electra AKA-4. After being released from Active duty, he returned to pursue his college degree at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State), receiving his degree in 1957. After graduating from college, he received a commission as a Supply Officer in the USNR, where he continued to serve on inactive duty for a number of years.
His first business career was with the Paul Mueller Company, where he eventually became Vice President-Administration, a member of the Board of Directors, President of Paul Mueller (Canada) Ltd. and a supervising director of the joint venture in The Netherlands, Mueller-Europe, NV. His Paul Mueller Company Career spanned a total of 26 years. During his years at Mueller, he was responsible for many areas of the Company’s operations, including International Sales. He secured the companies first sale overseas – a bulk milk cooler to Venezuela. At the time of his leaving, the Company was doing business in sixty-nine countries.
His next career was as a Vice President and Director of Marketing for Guard Security where he was responsible for the administration of contracts with the U.S. Marshals Service. Here, he hired and supervised Court Security Officers for twenty-seven Federal Courthouses in nine states.
His next venture was in the automotive aftermarket. As Trade Show Manager with MD Publications, he helped produce national trade shows for readers of Transmission Digest and Undercar Digest magazines. Illness forced him to retire in 1994. He was then involved in several part-time pursuits, including advertising, computer software, and as Executive Director of the Fox Grape Homeowner’s Association. He also enjoyed working for a time with his lifelong friend Dick Erb at the company founded by his father, Phil Erb Refrigeration. Robert returned to work as Exhibit Manager for MD Publications in December 2004.
Mr. Jacobsmeyer was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church where he sang in the choir. He also led the singing in the Chapel of St. John’s Hospital where on Christmas Eve he would be singing with fifty nuns. He participated in many political and civic activities, including serving on the board of Springfield City Utilities, the board of the American Red Cross (where he was Blood Program Chairman), the Springfield Chamber of Commerce (as Public Information Chairman), as chairman of the Boy Scout Circus, President of the Navy League of the Ozarks, member of the United Way, and as President of the Bluegrass Society of the Ozarks! A fine singer, he was a lover of music – especially classical, opera, and swing.
Mr. Jacobsmeyer’s parents preceded him in death as did his first wife, Nancy Jean (Borneman) Jacobsmeyer (the mother of his children), brother, Raymond Gary, and Raymond’s wife, Harriet.
He is survived by two sons, Ross (wife Mojgan Taherynia, son Siavash), of Denver, CO; Brian (wife Kim, son Nick), Los Angeles, CA.; a daughter, Lane Lockhart (husband Bruce, daughter Molly), Nixa, MO; adopted son Michael Van (wife Cynthia, daughter Lilly, grandson Silas) originally from Vietnam and now residing in Dallas, TX; and ex-wife Jeanne Kay (Goodman) Jacobsmeyer, of Carthage, MO.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Rhonda Robbins Sloan GHS ‘79
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