Aaron Jacobson

Just one month shy of his 49th birthday, our brother and son, Aaron M.P. Jacobson, left us with one final ‘Irish goodbye,’ noting that he would, now, “be at peace.” But rather than remember the way he died, we want to remember the way he lived: with endless compassion, a wicked sense of humor and a willingness to sit with anyone in their story, no matter how hard.

Aaron was born May 29, 1976 in Payson, UT, where he was loved and surrounded by family. The first 12 years of his life as a “military brat” helped shape his love of new: places, friends, food and customs. No one enjoyed an unexpectedly delectable new flavor more than he did! From Utah to Georgia to Kansas to California to Italy to Alaska, by the time he was a teen, Aaron had already traveled more places than many of us make it to in a lifetime!

Aaron’s endless ideas served him well as Student Body President at North Pole High School, where he graduated with honors in 1994. Re-naming 8th Ave, NPHS Blvd. by petitioning the local city council, as well as rallying his classmates to purchase a permanent granite school marquee were two ways he left a lasting impact on his community. He liked to keep it a secret then, but we can now reveal, that he was THE NPHS Patriot during his duration there.

After his high school graduation, he attended the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, where he double majored in Spanish and History and worked as a Resident Advisor. He took time off from his studies to serve an honorable 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bogota, Colombia. Even though his beliefs eventually shifted, this accomplishment was always something he was proud of.

His graduate and and eventual PhD studies in German History led him to University College London. Aaron’s thesis research consisted of interviewing WWII Holocaust survivors and learning the rich depth of their survival stories, thus spurring on his own. Learning the languages of the people he connected with was essential to him. He was fluent in: English, Spanish, Swiss-German, conversant in: Italian, French and “dabbled” in: Russian, Arabic and Portuguese. Our family always joked that he was either Carmen San Diego or a spy because we never really knew where in the world he was! We had to follow his ‘U-NO-HOO’, blog to keep up with his adventures. Aaron went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a History Professor at Carnegie Mellon University Qatar. There he went above and beyond his professorial role by voluntarily serving as: club advisor, mentor and career counselor. The passion with which he taught and the way he loved are essential pieces of his legacy.

Woven throughout his journey of education and love was a ribbon of deep self doubt. He was always wondering “what he should be when he grew up,” often quizzing friends and family alike with what they saw in him. What we wish we could say to him now is “anything and everything, Aaron.” And perhaps more importantly, “we love you forever and ever, and no matter what.”

When once he was asked how he saw himself, he said, “I’m like a male Mary Poppins. I float in and out of people’s lives, do what I can to help them and leave with the wind.” We know now that he is at peace and was welcomed into the arms of his loving Savior, as well as the embraces of family and friends that had gone on before. Aaron loved and is survived by family and friends all over the world. We pray that when you remember him that it gives you courage to pursue the dreams you never imagined you could. Dream big, love hard and enjoy the view, just like Aaron did. We love you Neeners!