Long-time Centralia resident Richard "Dick" "RC" Jacobson passed away at his home July 16, 2023 at 94 years old. He was born in Chicago on Aug. 11, 1928 to Martin and Elsa Jacobson and is survived by his younger brother Gordon and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Dick served in both the U.S. Marines and Naval Reserves for a combined total of 14 years.
He graduated from University of Washington with an engineering degree which awarded him many job opportunities. He helped purchase and manage a hotel with his parents for 10 to 12 years in California and, while there, obtained a master’s degree in business. He also worked in manufacturing, demolition, heavy construction, and consulting remodel and building of homes. After leaving California he moved to Canada for work and while there bought a 100-acre farm which he later sold before moving back to the U.S. to work for Boeing.
He bought property in Renton which he developed and later sold. In 1974, he bought property where he has spent the last 40-plus years developing, building and improving what is known today as Jacobson Ranch.
He loved horses since he first rode on the workhorse at the age of 3 while his dad plowed the fields. During the process of building his dream ranch, Dick influenced hundreds of people and families who worked or lived on the ranch. He has said that every day at his ranch is a vacation.
He enjoyed running his heavy equipment, designing and building projects, watching eagles soar from his dining room window, watching and engaging with the horses in the property. Dick will be missed by many. His wishes were that the ranch remain intact and continue to grow and improve.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 1 at Grand Mound Cemetery with a celebration of life gathering to follow at 7300 Prather Road SW Centralia.
