Russell Dan Jacobson born to Ruby(Clark) and Dan Jacobson May 22, 1930 passed on 7/6/2023 at the home of his niece Mindy in Lawrence Kansas age of 93.
Russ spent 2 winters and 2 summers in Korea, first as a front line artillery fire direction specialist on Hill 191 in North Korea until wounded. He was then reassigned to the 45th division Headquarters during recovery. He was awarded 4 battle stars and a bronze star to go with other decorations.
Russ was named Who’s Who in colleges and Universities and went on to pass the bar in both Kansas and Missouri. As a practicing attorney in Jackson County he also argued before the Supreme court trying numerous cases successfully.
He was passionate about the British Legal System and sharing the roots of our legal system. He loved traveling to Europe and fell in love with the French leading him to become an honorary member of the French Foreign Legion. Russ started a two week Oxford CLE Summer School program in 1983 with the assistance of the UMKC Law School Administration. Russ’ enthusiasm was contagious. The program quickly grew with many attendees returning year after year to participate in the program because of Russ’ passion and the high quality of British judges, solicitors, barristers, and Oxford professors he recruited to speak.) Russ led the program every year until 2013 when his health prohibited travel to his beloved home away from home. Finally, in 2017 Russ was able to make one last memorable trip with the help of those who wanted Russ to experience his farewell tour. Because of Russ’ foresight and devotion to sharing his knowledge, the program, now in its 40 year, continues to thrive.
Survivors, Theodore Roosevelt, his senior yorkie, his brother Eugene and wife Martha Jacobson, Niece Mindy Downs who resides with husband Michael and children Caleb and Mikayla in Lawrence, and nephew Dr. David Jacobson and his wife Jennifer and their children Noah and Emma in Damascus Maryland, and many wonderful friends he collected and loved dearly over the years.)
Graveside inurnment with Military Honors will be 11 am, Friday, August 25, 2023, at Forest Hill Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave. Kansas City, MO 64131 .
Russ and I were both attorneys at Morris Foust Moudy & Beckett. He was a dear friend and was at our home for dinner several times. We always enjoyed his company and his stories. Russ had a brilliant legal mind and contributed greatly to the law. He will be missed by many. Please accept our condolences.
Russ was always an inspiration to me. I first met him on the 1990 Oxford program shortly after I started working at UMKC CLE. Russ’ passion for Oxford and the British Legal System was contagious and it infected me. I was fortunate to be able to travel with Russ for 20 years to Oxford and then to take him for his farewell tour in 2017. Thank you Russ for your patience with this kid and for sharing your passion.
A lawyer’s lawyer.
I knew Russ when he worked for Max Foust. I started working for Mr. Foust and Russ was an attorney there and I did his dictation. Russ and I got along really well Was sorry when he left the Firm to go elsewhere. RIP my friend. Pa Foust
Russ had a brilliant, analytical legal mind coupled with a wry sense of humor that made him a delightful companion. His Oxford program is a wonderful and fit legacy.