Herbert Sacks Jacobson

Herbert Sacks Jacobson died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, August 20, 2022. He was our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Our sadness is tempered by great joy and memories for his life well lived. His funeral was held on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at Beth Israel Memorial Garden. Herbert, known as Honey, Dad, Pa, Popi, and Dr. J., was born November 28, 1922, in San Antonio, Texas. He was raised with strong ties to his religion and was particularly proud that a branch of his family moved from the U.S. to Israel, in 1906. His family belonged to Temple Beth El, but he fulfilled his grandfather's wishes and became a Bar Mitzvah at Agudas Achim. He was the first in his family to attend college, and matriculated at Texas A&M College in 1940 (now known as Texas A&M University), where he committed to military training and chemical engineering. In 1943, he marched with the entire Junior class to the train and on to serve in WWII. He served as a First Lieutenant in the US Army, Chemical Warfare Service as a mortar platoon commander in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany. He fought for his country in the Battle of the Bulge. He rem...[more]

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ed on active duty stateside until the fall of 1946 when he was allowed to return to college to complete his degree. He excelled in his studies and was inducted into Tau Beta Pi engineering honor Society. Immediately following graduation, he worked for a year as a chemical engineer for Shell Oil in Deer Park, Texas, and then realized he wanted to study medicine. He gained entrance to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where he studied from 1948-1952 and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. After a rotating internship in Galveston from 1952 to 1953, and a general surgery residency at Indiana University from 1953 to 1956, he specialized in plastic surgery with a residency in Galveston from 1956 to 1959. Well into his academic career, he lost his heart to Adrienne Rosenbaum and they married in 1950 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up as only children, they shared the dream of having a large family, and started it with Philip, Larry and Cindy before he finished his training, and Stuart arrived two years into his professional career. Herbert and Adrienne moved their family to Detroit, Michigan in 1959 where he began working at Henry Ford Hospital, specializing in burns and reconstructive hand surgery. After working at Henry Ford Hospital for nine years, he developed a thriving private practice in the greater Detroit area. In 1977, the family returned to Texas, and within a few years, Herbert built a very successful cosmetic and reconstructive surgery practice in Houston. He was loved by his patients and colleagues. He never advertised, insisting that his practice should stand alone on the merits of his work. He retired in 2001, at the age of 78, and devoted himself to his grandchildren, his wife, and took up exercise for the first time. He always loved spending time with family, traveling, trying exotic new foods (always spicier than the rest of us could tolerate), and keeping up with current events. He was known never to speak a harsh word of anyone, save a few scoundrel politicians. Herbert was a man of infinite talent and intellect, but was never boastful unless he was talking about a member of his family. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Adrienne; his children Philip & Elise, Larry & Rita, Cindy, and Stuart & Sheila. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brad Jacobson & Randy Murry, Daniel & Kelsey Jacobson, Melissa & Blake Wilson, Jason Sax & Lauren Nevitt, David Sax & Kasey Josephs, Aimee Sax & Drew Dorenfest, Rebecca Jacobson, David Jacobson, Alexis & Jimmy Taylor, Claire Jacobson and Sarah Jacobson, and 10 great-grandchildren. The family is grateful for the care given by Zenovea (Peaches) & Kenneth Clark, and Sharon & David Bailey. Herbert will remain an inspiration to all members of his family who strive to follow in his footsteps and live with kindness, integrity, humility, and compassion. We will miss him always. Memorial contributions can be made in Herbert's memory by planting trees in Israel through Jewish National Fund--by check to 78 Randall Ave., Rockville Center, NY 11570 or on their website https://shop.jnf.org/collections/plant-trees. Please specify the purpose of your donation. Feel free to give to the charity of your choice.