Lennart "Jake" Jacobson

Lennart “Jake” Jacobson, 89, died November 4, 2024, at Orange Grove Senior Living in Tucson AZ. He is survived by loving wife Sandy, daughter and son-in-law Tracy and Paul Anderson, extended family and many wonderful friends. Jake was preceded in death by parents, Gustaf and Louise Jacobson, brother and sister-in-law Ray and Evie Jacobson.

Jake was a first generation American born in Minneapolis on October 31, 1935, to two adventurous Swedish immigrants. He graduated from West High School and attended the University of Minnesota before joining the Navy in 1956. Jake was based at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, CA, and spent most of his naval career as a pilot and landing service officer on carriers in the Pacific. Jake told harrowing tales about take-offs and landings on those pitching decks, and many stories from his life on the sea and the ports of call he visited.

After 12 years of service, Jake returned to Minneapolis and joined Northwest Airlines as a pilot holding the ranks of second officer, co-pilot and captain. He was also an instructor and trained hundreds of fledgling pilots to fly his favorite plane, the Boeing 757. Jake retired in 1993 after 25 years of service.

Jake’s true passion was golf. Introduced to the game as a teenager aboard an ocean liner enroute to Sweden, Jake fell in love with the game. He was a scratch player who won a boatload of tournaments and shot his age at 74. Jake left his mark at Hazeltine National, where he and Sandy were members, by launching a golf club up into a tree where it stayed for many years. He and Sandy were also members at Starr Pass Golf Club and Oro Valley Country Club in Tucson.

Jake will be remembered by many for his wry smile, dry wit, and eyes that peered out over his glasses with more spark than twinkle. His memorial service will be in Minneapolis, June 2025.