It is with deep sorrow and eternal love that we honor the passing of Chester “Chet” Fredrick Jacobson from Southborough. Chester was blessed with 93 years of a life well lived. Chester is predeceased by his wife Lois (Johnson), with whom he shared a remarkable 61 years of marriage. He also leaves behind three children, a daughter, Karen Ubowski and her children Michael, RJ and Jenny of Harleysville, PA.; Kyle Jacobson , his wife Tricia and their children Christian and Kevin of Northborough; Kurt Jacobson, his wife Rachael and their children Kurt Jr., Tyler, Emma, Christopher and Kelly of Sturbridge.
Chet was born in Worcester on September 5, 1931, the son of Christian and Antonio (Fredrickson) Jacobson. Chet lost his mother at the tender age of four years old and was lovingly raised with the help and support of his sisters Mildred and Eleanor.
Upon graduation from Worcester South high school, Chet joined the military, serving as a second lieutenant in the Army Corp of Engineers rebuilding bridges in Japan. After his discharge Chet attended the prestigious Worcester Polytechnical Institute, earning his degree in mechanical engineering. He later went on to pursue a degree in electrical engineering from Duke University.
Professionally Chet was an extraordinary inventor and engineer, holding 42 U.S. patents. His innovations helped shape our daily lives and his name proudly appears in Who’s Who of American Engineers and Who’s Who of American Inventors—a testament to a lifetime of ingenuity, creativity and vision. Chet leaves behind a legacy of ideas and built his personal ethos on his ability to wonder.
Chet retired after 20 years with Gillette at the age of 57 and travelled the world with his best friend and devoted wife, Lois. For 27 years they were fortunate to experience the wonders of the world together. Adventuring through the windswept deserts to explore the pyramids, ballooning across the Serengeti and together uncovering the secrets of St. Petersburg.
In his 70s, Chet took several solo trips; he explored China, walked the Great Wall, and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro because his sense of wonder never aged and he relished looking for beauty, mystery and meaning in the world around him.
Chet brought wisdom and warmth to those around him everyday and our family feels blessed to have had him in our lives for so long.
Though our hearts are heavy his family finds comfort in knowing that he is continuing his eternal journey with his dear wife Lois somewhere beautiful. The window of your room was left open for your soul to fly free. “And now he belongs to the ages” —Edward Stanton
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury on Tuesday, July 8th, from 10:00 AM: – 12:00 PM. Funeral service will follow.
(Photo and Obituary via Chiampa Funeral Home)
