Richard Neil Jacob, Sr.

November 3, 1947 - December 8, 2020

Richard Neil Jacob, Sr., age 73 years, of Whitehouse Station, NJ, died suddenly on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born on November 3, 1947 in Somerville, NJ, son of the late John Louis and Marion Evelyn Queen Jacob, he was a lifelong area resident, growing up on Village Glen Road in Raritan Township, NJ and later living in Three Bridges and Whitehouse Station.

Graduating from Hunterdon Central Regional High School in 1966, he was a varsity wrestler who was known to be a hard worker and a friend to all he met. He was active in horse 4-H as a teenager and went on to become a 4-H leader of the Tally-Ho horse club, co-leading the team to win a national horse judging competition in Oklahoma in 1973.

Since childhood, Rich had a keen mechanical ability and a mind that naturally was able to solve complex problems. Rich was no stranger to hard work and from a young age, always dreamed of being a good provider for his family. This entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own business in the printing industry in his twenties, which would become Statewide Offset and, later, Best Tech Graphics. His hard work and drive propelled him to the top of his field, earning him many accolades and several trips to Japan where much of the printing equipment was made. He truly loved his work and he loved the customers he served for over 40 years in the trade.

In the mid-1980’s Rich’s sister, Rose, encouraged him to go on a blind date with her friend, Bonnie Krauss. The two would form a quick friendship that would blossom into love. Married on December 23, 1989 in Three Bridges Reformed Church, their two families would blend into one.

Leading by example in all that he did, Rich was genuine in all aspects of his personality. He was compassionate, caring, loving and dedicated to helping others however he was able. Extremely humble, he simply loved people.

Family was his first love, and to say he enjoyed being a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle would be an understatement. He thought of his friends and employees as family and opened his arms, his heart, his home to all he encountered.

His next love was the sky. From an early age, Rich dreamed of learning to fly. Bonnie encouraged him to follow his passion and pursue his pilot’s license; a feat he proudly achieved in 1988. He was proud to own a Piper Cherokee and was a longtime member of the AOPA Pilots Association. Many happy days were spent as he rose from the runway at Solberg Airport to appreciate the beauty of the world from a different perspective. During the pandemic in 2020, he spent many days working on his airplane and flying, which brought him much joy and peace.

In 2017 tragedy struck Rich as he suddenly learned he would need a liver and kidney transplant. In true Rich fashion, his first, gut reaction, was to pass over a transplant in the hopes that a younger person who had more need and more life to live could take his spot. Once he realized he would not be taking a liver from someone else in need, he fought with all he could to make it through end-state liver disease and was blessed to receive a new liver in February 2018 at NYU-Langone. He was forever grateful to the doctors and staff of NYU, and especially grateful to his donor for the gift of life he received. Rich spent every moment of his remaining years grateful for the time he was given to live his life and spend it with the people he most cherished.

Rich would encourage all those reading this to cherish every moment, to be grateful for what you have and to those around you, and to live life to the fullest. He leaves a legacy of love and would want everyone to remember him as the loyal and steadfast family, friend, and neighbor he was.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Richard Neil Jacob, Jr. in 2004 and a step-daughter, Amanda Case Rosso in 2010.

Surviving are his wife and best friend, Bonnie Krauss Jacob; a daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Alex Saville; a step-daughter and son-in-law, Angel and Richard Cockburn; a son-in-law, James Rosso; his grandchildren, Graham Saville, Liam Saville, Kayla and her husband Matt De Maio, Cassandra Cockburn, Kelsey Cockburn, Carley Cockburn, and Brielle Rosso; his great grandchildren, Tessa and Matthew De Maio, William Cockburn, and Sutton Rae and Saylor Lance Cockburn; his siblings, Nancy Schneider and her husband Jim, Rose Neeble, and Frank and his wife, Gloria Jacob; his sisters-in-law, Christina Krauss and Debbie Martin; several extended family members; and many friends made wherever the path of life took him.

Due to the current pandemic, visitation and interment will be private with just the immediate family under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

At these times, memories and stories are of extreme importance. Please visit Rich’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

A public life celebration service will take place when everyone is able to gather together safely. Please check back on this page as information regarding that service will be posted here when known. A a kidney and liver transplant recipient, Rich would encourage all those reading this to wear a mask and be responsible to other members of the community so that we can gather together again sooner rather than later.

In lieu of flowers, and in grateful appreciation of the gifts of life he received, donations in Rich’s honor may be made to the New Jersey Sharing Network. Please click HERE to be taken to his personal and secure donation page. For those who wish to mail a contribution, please do so by making a check payable to ‘In Memory Of’, noting ‘Rich Jacob’ in the memo and mailing to: In Memory Of, P.O. Box 5472, Charlottesville, VA 22905. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated by the family.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

Richard Neil Jacob, Sr., age 73 years, of Whitehouse Station, NJ, died suddenly on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ. Born on November 3, 1947 in Somerville, NJ, son of the late John Louis and Marion Evelyn Queen Jacob, he was a lifelong area resident, growing up on Village GlenContinue Reading

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To the Family of Rich Jacob, I learned today of Richard’s untimely passing in Dec. I have been a customer of both Statewide Offset and Best Tech and purchased a number of Hamada presses and bindery equipment going back roughly thirty years. Rich has been my go to guy for all my service needs. He was incredibly knowledgeable, very efficient and an all around great guy. Four years ago we moved our location from Butler, NJ to our farm in Bainbridge NY. I kept three of my Hamadas and set up shop upstate. When the time came for service, Rich answered my call for help, where perhaps other service people may have said I’m not traveling up there. Rich stayed with us on the farm as our guest and as usual fixed my issues with the presses. He was a stand up guy, who I would call my service man and friend. I am sorry he left us too soon and my thoughts and prayers are with your family. RIP ?

My condolences to the family and I will never forget the great opportunity he gave me, by giving me the opportunity to work, in his company statewide offset.

Bonnie and family: Be assured that on his final journey, Rich had favorable weather, unlimited visibility, and a strong tailwind to guide him safely into God's lighted runway. Rest in peace, my good friend. AL Blagbrough

Both Sandy and I were deeply saddened by hearing about Rich and and send our sincere sympathies to Bonnie and the family. We came to become friends with Rich through our printing business in Flemington area and also through the NJ Quick Printers Association. We will pass on the information to the members of NJQP who still keep in touch and would definitely want to gather when a memorial celebration is held for Rich. We have such fond memories of him and his friendship. He definitely was mechanically gifted.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Nancy and I are very sad for your loss. When Bethany, David and I visited many years ago, we enjoyed your hospitality. Rich and I had a great time talking about the printing industry. I enjoyed seeing his workshop. He was the first person to explain the transferable skills of printing to other industries. May God bring you comfort during this difficult time of the year.

It is with much sadness that I write my condolences to Riche’s family in his passing. Rich and I wrestle together all through high school and both of us graduating in 1966 from Hunterdon Central. Rich was a great team mate and most important, a great person. The last time that I saw him was at our 50th class reunion four years ago. Once again, my condolences to his family...

So sorry for your loss. I met Rich about a year ago and was touched by his gracious persona and heartfelt interest in what I had to say. Seldom do we meet another who has that gift of making you feel special in such a brief meeting. I only hope that I have the same effect on others as he had on me. May you all find strength in his memory during this difficult time and forever. God bless.

Rest In Peace my good friend. Love Jim & Thelma.

FROM A YOUNG AGE RICH CAME INTO OUR LIVES,AND WE ALL ARE SO MUCH BETTER FOR IT TRAVEL ON MY DEAR FRIEND.

Many fond memories of Richie when I was young. He taught me how to ride his horse, Sunny. Rest in Peace Richie...give little Richie a hug for me...❤?

Later in life, usually at class reunions, we would find ourselves talking about things. His things were so much interesting than mine. We both flew but he had a plane. I was in the printing business for a few years he was in it for a lifetime. He went all in on what he did and that started in high school and wrestling. He would lose tremendous amounts of weight so he could wrestle varsity. And week after week, year after year he did it with nary a complaint. I was a K he was a J so we went through high school home room together and before that grade school. Even got to know that we were related through the Queen family. Would laugh and called each other ‘Cous’. I was so fortunate to get to know him better after high school but regret that I didn’t follow up on his invitation to fly with him. Richie you are and will be the ‘Man’. Someday maybe we’ll get the chance to talk about life and how short it is!

Dear Bonnie and family So sorry for your loss Please know we are thinking of you at the difficult time If we can be of any help please don't hesitate Condolence Alice & Walt

RIP Rich. My gratitude for your kindness.

This has been a tough year. Rich's career and mine crossed paths over the years. I wold start a job and walk down the hall and there was Richie. A genuine friend, a gentleman. Im glad our paths crossed many times and will hopefully again

I have so many fond memories of Mr. Jacob. Amy was my first and very best friend throughout elementary school. Happily, our dads became fast friends, and we went to father/daughter events together. Sometimes, my dad had to leave early or couldn’t go at all because he had to run the family restaurant. Mr. Jacob would always fill in, and broaden my horizons with camping, and canoe trips. Childhood memories and impressions are the strongest and most honest. Mr. Jacob’s kind, open, pleasant face, twinkling eyes, and laugh are deeply etched. May his memory be eternal.

Rich Jacob, my friend, mentor, “big brother”. The one you knew you could always count on if you needed help. And he helped so many, so often. The toughest and kindest man I ever knew. When asked who it was that was the biggest influence in my life, the answer would be Rich. The world is diminished without him and he will be sorely missed by so many. Thank you Rich, for everything.

Jacob family, My condolences to all of you on the passing of your beloved Rich. My husband, Jay, who passed in 2011, worked with Rich when he had Statewide. I will always remember the days of Rich and Jay working and Flying together. Rich will always be in your heart and your memories. June

My dearest Uncle Richard, thank you for all you did for me.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.