He graduated from Armour College of Engineering (now Illinois Institute of Technology) with a degree in chemical engineering. After serving two years in the Illinois National Guard prior to the Korean War, he moved in 1951 to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to work at K-25 in the Long-Range Planning group and then on many other projects until retiring in 1990. He earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee.
Sheldon’s post-retirement activities included many years of volunteer work for the East Tennessee Office of Human Resources as a nursing home ombudsman and in the Public Guardianship Program, as well as in the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. He served several times on the board of directors and was treasurer for the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge.
He was an avid card player, bowler, golfer, and water skier, and he enjoyed puns and silly jokes. Sheldon played tennis into his 80s. He loved his family, and he especially enjoyed traveling around the world with them after his retirement. A highlight was a week the entire family spent together in St. Barth’s to celebrate his and Vivian’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. Sheldon and Vivian moved to Houston from Oak Ridge in 2008, but Oak Ridge will always be their home.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vivian, currently residing in Houston; a daughter, Judith Jacobs Donnell, of Salt Lake City; and two sons, Philip Jacobs (Margo) of Houston and Richard Jacobs (Shaun Kadlec) of Los Angeles; as well as three grandchildren, Michael Donnell, Anna Donnell and Leah Jacobs.
Many heartfelt thanks to Niki Amanuel for her loving care of our father during the past four years.
A graveside service for family and friends will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 8, 2012, at the Oak Ridge Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, P.O. Box 5434, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-5435; or The Medallion Jewish Assisted Living Residence, 6262 N. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX 77074.
Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18