Doug Jacobson

A mighty oak has fallen. Douglas Roger Jacobson passed away at home in West Des Moines, Iowa on January 16, 2023 after an amazing life. He was born in Delhi, India on July 30, 1955 to Roger and Lois Jacobson.

He is survived by his wife, Gail; sons, Zachary (Catherine), Sean (Brianna) and Taylor (Katilee); stepsons, John and Jeff (Hannah); grandchildren, Chloe, Miller, Sloane, Leo and Hudson; sister, Kim (Dennis); nieces, Sarah, Katie and Colby (Jack); father-in-law, Dick Petersen; his first wife, Judy; and his best friend, Stan Ethington. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dave.

Doug spent his early years in India and Canada. In 1962, his parents returned to the U.S. and Doug spent the remaining years of his childhood in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from Richwoods High School in 1973 where he was on the football and wrestling teams and from Iowa State University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Administration. At Iowa State, he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he formed lifelong friendships and engineered prize-winning VEISHEA floats. Upon graduation, Doug went to work for Burroughs Corporation and subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota in 1982.

Doug then accepted a job with Superior Oil in Houston, Texas and spent the next 27 years working in the IT field as a software engineer and systems analyst. He particularly enjoyed the work he did at Computer Sciences Corporation supporting various applications related to Mission Operations at NASA Johnson Space Center. He married Judy Anderson in 1985 and, shortly before the birth of their third son in 1991, Doug was diagnosed with ALS. With the help of extended family, Judy and the boys cared for Doug at home, where he was able to continue working full-time until 2009, at which time he moved into a care facility in Longview, Texas. Through sheer willpower and relentless optimism, Doug soon orchestrated a move to a care facility in Iowa by convincing his respiratory therapist to drive him in his van with a portable ventilator. This road trip was not nearly as fun as the ones he took in college but this stubborn Scandinavian was determined to get back to the Midwest and make a new life for himself. And did he ever! In 2012, Doug reconnected with Gail Petersen Lindgren, a very special person from his college days. They were married in 2013 and shared an incredibly happy life and love for ten years. Gail filled his life with color and warmth, as was evident to anyone who entered their welcoming home. Under Gail’s devoted care, Doug thrived and was able to continue to live at home where, in his free time, he spent many happy hours gaming and listening to music.

As a man who lived with ALS for 31 years, Doug taught us many life lessons. Long after he had been relegated to a wheelchair and placed on a ventilator to breathe, Doug was imbued with the power of a life well-lived. An imposing presence at 6’3”, his physical strength and athleticism had always defined Doug. ALS tried to take that from him but, as it turned out, his physical presence paled in comparison to his strength of character and resilience. Doug never gave the impression of being handicapped or disabled in any way. He always had a great day and continually expressed gratitude to any and all who performed even the smallest task for him.

Doug’s family would like to express their appreciation to the many caregivers over the years for their compassionate care (in particular, Gene, Adam, Tracy, Tanika, Dylan and Jody).

Doug was a member of Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, Iowa. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association (Iowa Chapter).

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11a.m. Saturday June 10, 2023 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines.

A Celebration of Life service will also be held in Cresco, Iowa at a later date, with private inurnment in the Jacobson family plot at Fremont Lutheran Cemetery near Cresco in Winneshiek County, Iowa.

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