Six-year Mercer Island City Councilmember Daniel “Jake” Jacobson died March 30 at the age of 82.

According to the city of Mercer Island, Jacobson passed away peacefully following a medical emergency.

The distinguished Navy veteran, attorney and longtime civic leader was a true warrior, a great friend and will be dearly missed, said Mayor Salim Nice.

“Jake was a force for good,” said Nice. “He faced everything with extraordinary courage and immense passion. His years of service on the city council were marked by a deep commitment to the people he represented and a genuine desire to make our city a better place for all.”

To honor Jacobson, Nice and City Manager Jessi Bon have ordered and directed that the U.S. flag and Washington state flag be flown at half-staff at all Island public buildings, grounds and facilities beginning at sunrise on April 1 until sunset on April 7.

In observance of Jacobson’s passing, the scheduled April 1 city council meeting is canceled.

Deputy Mayor Dave Rosenbaum said that Jacobson brought smiles to people’s faces and had a remarkable way of making people feel seen and valued.

“His spirit of caring and his devotion to his moral compass were evident in public, but even more so in private,” Rosenbaum said. “The true test of public people is how they treat others when no one is watching — and Jake consistently showed just how deeply he loved those around him.”

In the city council realm, the city said that Jacobson — who had deep expertise in construction and project management — was integral in shaping local policy, supporting Youth and Family Services and advancing critical infrastructure projects.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jake worked tirelessly to support businesses and residents, contributing to Mercer Island’s recovery and personally donating to help restart beloved community events like Summer Celebration,” the city added.

When asked what the most satisfying part of being involved with city council was in a Reporter feature story in 2020, Jacobson noted: “Interacting with constituents to learn their concerns and wishes for the city and teaming with my city council colleagues to address and resolve the many challenges our city faces.”

In that same story, Jacobson said he ran for city council for “the opportunity to apply my experience as a leader of military, nonprofit and corporate entities, as a practicing lawyer, a construction manager and executive to the issues and problems challenging a city which I love and in which I have resided for 30 years.”

Since 1995, Jacobson served as executive vice president and director of Osborne Construction Company. Earlier in life, Jacobson graduated from Princeton University in 1965 with a degree in politics; served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1974, including active duty in Vietnam, and later became the commanding officer of the USS Umpqua (ATA-209); and after earning his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School in 1977, he began practicing civil law in Seattle. During this time, he earned the highest rating for legal competence and ethical standards from Martindale-Hubbell.

In his personal time, Jacobson walked the trails of Homestead Field with his beloved terriers, tended his garden (especially his prized dahlias) and displayed his generosity, warmth and thoughtful nature by presenting bouquets to friends and neighbors.

When delving into the greatest lesson he learned during his time on council, he added in the 2020 Reporter story: “Mercer Island residents are incredibly generous with both time and treasure. By harnessing the spirited volunteerism of our community, we can and will make Mercer Island a better and more welcoming place for both residents and those who work, visit or otherwise experience Mercer Island.”

City councilmember Lisa Anderl said that Jacobson was a dear friend and colleague and noted that his passing is a huge loss for his friends and the community.

“He brought passion and insight to all of the issues, and he cared deeply about the city and the residents of Mercer Island. His style was wonderfully direct — you always knew what he thought and where he stood. I think sometimes his directness came across as harsh, but he was one of the kindest and most compassionate people I have known,” Anderl said.

Benson Wong noted that he was privileged and honored to serve with Jacobson for a few years on the city council. Wong said that Jacobson’s voice will undoubtedly be missed during council deliberations.

“As mayor of Mercer Island, I always counted on Jake to devote his time, energy and talent towards addressing and mitigating the adverse impact of COVID on the Town Center businesses,” said Wong, adding that Jacobson was one of the hardest working councilmembers during Wong’s council service. “I knew that he always studied the issues, was always prepared to contribute to the discussions, and to be a strong advocate for his positions. He was unwavering in this desire to do what he felt was best for the residents of Mercer Island.”