In Memoriam

Ted Joacobsen, a long-time friend of the College of Social Work, passed away on May 28, 2009. Mr. Jacobsen and his wife, Florence, established the Florence Smith Jacobsen Scholarship at the CSW in 1998. The many scholarships awarded have supported social work students with academically-based community research and service that focus on issues of concern to women, with particular emphasis on strengthening families.

Theodore Jacobsen 1908 ~ 2009 Theodore (Ted) Christian Jacobsen passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife Florence at his bedside on May 28, 2009.Dad was born October 20, 1908 in San Francisco, California to Soren N. and Anna Jensen Jacobsen. He was the oldest of four children, Margaret J. Bennion (deceased), Leo M. Jacobsen (deceased) and is survived by his sister Ruth J. Kirby. The family lived briefly in San Francisco while Soren worked as a construction supervisor rebuilding many projects in the city after the 1906 earthquake. Dad grew up in Salt Lake, attended LDS High School and the University of Utah. He graduated from Utah State Agricultural College with a degree in Civil Engineering. Dad earned two letters at the "U" for Basketball. While at LDS High School his basketball team took the State High School Championship in 1926. The team went on to the National High School Finals where they were in the tournament until they lost on the last night by one point. The LDS High basketball team's camaraderie was extraordinary and their accomplishments were a source of pride for all members their entire lives. After serving an LDS mission to Denmark, Dad returned home, completed his schooling and married Florence Smith in 1935. Mom and Dad had three sons, Stephen, Alan and Heber. Alan preceded Dad in death in 2004. Dad's life was shaped by his experiences with his father and brother starting and managing Jacobsen Construction Company during the beginning of the Great Depression. Dad was part of Jacobsen Construction until his retirement in 1978. He was proud of what he and Leo had built the Company into when he retired. Some of the projects Jacobsen Construction performed during Dad's involvement are: Montgomery Ward Store, Greyhound Bus Depots, LDS Church Parking Garage, ZCMI Parking Structure, Special Events (Huntsman Center) and Physical Education Complex at the "U", many project during the war years for the U.S. Military in and around Salt Lake, Salt Lake City Waste Water Treatment Plant in Rose Park, Bank of Idaho Building in Boise, Many Sears-Roebuck Projects, Physical Science Building at San Jose State Univ., Washoe Medical Center in Reno, St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Carson-Tahoe Hospital, Stanford Univ. Basketball Arena, Stanford University High-rise Housing, Expansion of the Hotel Utah, The Los Angeles Temple, The Washington D.C. Temple, and The Oakland Temple to name just a few. Dad was an active member of the LDS Church serving in the Bonneville Ward Bishopric for seven years and as Bishop for seven, as President of the Eastern State Mission for four years, as a Regional Representative, as a member of the Church Missionary Committee, as a Director of Temple Square, as a Sealer in the Salt Lake Temple and lastly as a faithful Home Teacher. Dad served a two year term in the Utah Legislature. He served as member of the Board of Directors of the following: Utah Power and Light Company (31 years), Utah Portland Cement Company and the San Francisco Branch of the Federal Reserve. He also served as the President of the Utah Associated General Contractors and two terms as President of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Dad belonged to the Alta Club, the Salt Lake Country Club, the Rotary Club of Salt Lake and Bonneville Knife and Fork Club where he was a past president. Dad loved to fish and enjoyed many hours on Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone. He loved seeing his grand children and great-grand children catch browns, cutthroats and rainbows. He was an avid golfer and outlived all but one of his golfing buddies. Dad's posterity includes nine grand children and 18 great-grand children. The family is particularly grateful for the friendship and care given by Jennifer Strassburg, Christina Rosa, Adriana Chagas and Cida Pierce as they spent countless hours with Mom and Dad during the last few years of Dad's life.

Dr. Morris Klass, faculty at the CSW from 1971-1977, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2009. His son, Steve, contacted the College of Social Work to let us know. Steve said that teaching at the U was an important part of his father’s life, and “he greatly enjoyed his association with faculty members and especially students.”

Morris David Klass, 85, of Memphis passed away peacefully on February 23, 2009. Morry retired in 1994 after 17 years as Director of the U. of Memphis undergraduate social welfare program. Previously, he served on faculty of the doctoral and master’s programs at the University of Utah and California State University Fresno schools of social work respectively. He served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific during WWII. He received a B.S. and M.S.W. from UCLA and Doctorate in Social Work from USC in Los Angeles. He enjoyed training social work professionals, serving as mentor to many students, and building community through service on nonprofit boards, such as Volunteer Center of Memphis, Friends for Life, and Tennessee Men’s Health Network. Morry expressed creativity through visual arts, cooking, and gardening. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley B. Klass, sons Steven M. Klass (wife TantaLisa Clayton) of Salt Lake City, Utah and Daniel A. Klass (wife Roberta Stevens) of San Antonio, Texas along with loving nieces and nephews. Our family wishes to express its appreciation to the staff of the Memphis Jewish Home. Please honor Morry’s life through contributions to social justice, health care and artistic organizations.