OBITUARY:Former Newport lifeguard chief dies

Retired Newport Beach Lifeguard Chief Kendall “Jake” Jacobsen died Friday of natural causes. He was 71.

A Newport Beach native, Jacobsen began working for the Newport Beach Fire Department in 1959. He worked as a supervisor, assistant lifeguard chief, and as chief for about 20 years.

In 1964, he had a hand in creating the United States Lifesaving Assn., an organization that still exists today. He was instrumental in creating Newport’s Junior Lifeguards program.

All three of his children followed in his footsteps, with Capt. Brent Jacobsen following his dad’s lead as a full time lifeguard. Robin Jacobsen continues to work as a seasonal lifeguard in the junior guard program. Jacobsen’s son Bradley worked as a lifeguard and is now a teacher.

But more than his contributions to the lifeguard program, Jake Jacobsen served as a mentor and father figure to other Newport lifeguards.

“He was here when I was hired in 1987, and he definitely had an influence on my career here…. He was just a real lifeguard who understood people,” Newport Beach Capt. Jon Mitchell said Saturday. “And it’s kind of nice when you get an opportunity to have somebody like that influence your career.”

Four years after he graduated from Newport Harbor High School, Jake Jacobsen began his career as an ocean lifeguard on the beaches of Newport. After serving two years in the Army, he returned to the lifeguard tower.

When he wasn’t working Jake Jacobsen could often be found at the Newport Beach Country Club playing golf. He also sailed.

Those who knew him said he wanted to serve others whenever he could.

“Jake was like a second father to me,” Newport Beach Fire spokeswoman Jennifer Schulz wrote in an e-mail. “He was an amazing man and instilled in all of us, his children and lifeguards, the importance of taking care of others and compassion.”

Jake Jacobsen is survived by his wife, Marjorie; two sons, Brent and Bradley; a daughter, Robin; a daughter-in-law, Dana; and two grandchildren, Skyler and William.

Memorial arrangements have not yet been made, but will be announced later.