OBITUARY

Alan J. Jacobs, a longtime resident of Newport Beach and an active member of the community, died in his home June 20 of congestive heart failure. He was 83.

Jacobs served as an executive at Bozell & Jacobs, a leading advertising and public relations agency, and was later chairman of the executive committee, helping build the agency into one of the largest in the country.

Born in Omaha on Nov. 6, 1922, Jacobs attended the University of Nebraska, where his education was interrupted by his service as an artillery officer in World War II.

After the war, Jacobs moved to Chicago to work for Bozell & Jacobs, his uncle’s agency. In 1949, he married Phyllis Leaf of Chicago.

Jacobs held various jobs during his lifetime. He worked for Independent Voters of Illinois, ran election campaigns for Donald Rumsfeld and Sam Witwer during the 1960s, served on the Advertising Council and was national chairman of the American Advertising Federation.

In 1973, Jacobs moved to Newport Beach with his wife and children. Ten years later, heart disease forced him into early retirement, after which he became more active in Jewish groups and musical organizations, such as the American Jewish Committee, the Pacific Community of Secular Humanistic Jews, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Hutchins Consort, a violin group.

A member of the Balboa Yacht Club, he enjoyed travel and sailing and was an award-winning bridge player.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughters Peggy and Joann Jacobs; a son, David Jacobs; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. July 9 at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach. dpt.29-obit-CPhotoInfoQU1SF03L20060629j1la1rnc(LA)Alan J. Jacobs