Richard (Dick) Jacob was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and received his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in physics from the University of Utah. He joined the faculty at Arizona State in 1963 and retired as Professor Emeritus in 2001. During his tenure, he served a five-year term as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He was also director of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors Program, 1976-1978, and served a term as president of the independent Faculty Association. He was also the first president of the University Club Board of Directors. In 2004, he became Founding Dean of the Emeritus College at ASU. He served (2013-2017) on the Board of Trustees of the Arizona State Retirement System. Professor Jacob taught physics at all levels and in most areas, emphasizing quantum physics, relativity, electrodynamics and mathematical physics. His research is in theoretical elementary particle physics. He also plays clarinet in the Arizona Wind Symphony and is a member of the big band, Sonoran Swing. He is married with four children and fourteen grandchildren.