It is hard to imagine life without Dr. Sam Jacobs, Jr. (“Sam”, “Dr. J.” or “D.J”, as he was often affectionately called). He was always there, giving support and ready to help. Sam was someone who commanded respect. A quiet presence, he did not speak often. But when he did, his words were important and to-the-point. He had a warm, friendly smile and a great sense of humor.

Sam lived by ideals, and he continually strived to better himself and others. He devoted a great deal of his time to our Westchester Academy of Restorative Dentistry, and he assisted Elliot Feinberg in teaching the Academy’s courses in fixed bridgework and precision attachment partial dentures that were given thought the Ninth District Dental Society. Sam was the Academy’s secretary-treasurer from the organization’s inception in 1965 until 2002.

Before embarking on his dental career, he served in the US Army and was stationed in Berlin. He received a degree in chemistry from the University of Miami and spent 8 years as a practicing chemist before entering dental school at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating in 1962, Sam returned to his hometown of Yonkers and established a dental practice that he maintained for nearly 40 years.

Several dental organizations aside from the Academy owe a great deal to Sam. He served the Ninth District Dental Society as president (1990), as chairman of the Relief Committee, and as Bulletin contributor. He represented the Ninth on the New York State Dental Association’s Board of Governors and served as a delegate to the American Dental Association. He was just as much of a fixture in the Ninth District as he was in the Academy--he rarely missed a meeting! In 1997, Sam received the Ninth’s highest award, the D. Austin Sniffen Medal of Honor.

In addition to serving the profession, Sam believed deeply in community service. He was a perennial Elder of the South Presbyterian Church in Yonkers and a long-time member of the board of the Yonkers YMCA. He served as president of the Yonkers Dental Society and as president of the YMCA (1996). Sam had such a deep desire to help others that he even spent a vacation as a dental clinic volunteer in St. Lucia.

In recent years, Sam struggled with physical problems and pain. He never complained once, and pursued his busy schedule of dental practice and outside activities to the end. He leaves behind his sister, Marie Cannon; his brother Donald Jacobs; and his office manager Ann Lombardo. The Academy will profoundly miss Sam—he was an inspiring role model for many.