Marcus Jacobeson arrived in england as a jewish asylum seeker during world war II and with limited understanding of the english language and two pounds ten shillings in his pocket he sort work, he saved every penny and put himself through college, indulging in his interest in the automotive industry. He worked hard and blessed with an intelligence that many of us can only dream of this modest unasuming man worked his way up to have affected all of our lives.
Not only was Marcus a major power in our largest recovery service but he was also instrumental in the developement of the engines that we use in our work and play. A number of major industry re-calls and delays in release dates were due to the meticulas study and understanding that this great man had for engine design. Marcus shuned fame and recognistion and many a promotion in the persuit of safer more efficient engine and vehicle design.
Marcus recieved an M.B.E for his services but this was rarely mentioned.
Some time after the break up of his first marrage he met and fell in love with Anne Hope a beautiful, talented and vibrant woman who was the motoring correspondant for the sun news paper for ten years amongst numerous other acheivements. Marcus proposed on the track at Pikes Peak and they setled near to Reading and continued to work and created what is now the last remaining non computerised motoring archive.
With the Luck of a lottery winner I had the honour of befriending this truly amazing couple and have travelled foreign climes with them as an assistant and helper and as our friendship grew untill in the absence of my own family they became just as much if not more. The help and support these two remarkable people have offered me over the years can never be repaid.
I have been informed this weekend of the sudden death of Marcus and as I write this I appologise for the spelling but it is hard to see through the tears.
Marcus taught me as much about life as he did about engines his knowledge was a national treasure. Not all hero’s belong in fairy tales because Marcus was one. If you have taken he time to read this, I would like to thank you for allowing me to share.
And to Marcus,
Obviously, a man who should be close to all our hearts, if it were only known of his achievements.
He obviously meant a lot to you, so please accept my condolences.
Thank you Drabatsti very much for your words of kindness and Ossie I am having trouble pm’ing you and i didn’t know how much information to give would you please put that article on this thread, I don’t know how.
Thank you both.
Lindsey.
A FINCHAMPSTEAD man described as ‘the guru of the global auto industry’ has died at the age of 82 after a short spell in hospital.
Marcus Jacobson was chief engineer of the Automobile Association (AA) in the 1970s and 1980s, and also a major contributor to the multi-million circulation Drive magazine, which resulted in him being made an MBE in 1986 as “a champion of consumer rights in the automotive field”.
His wife of 32 years, 72-year-old Anne Hope (a former journalist who retained her previous surname), was with him at his side when he passed away on Saturday, July 31, of a heart attack.
Mrs Hope has jointly run Motor Industry Publishing Limited with her husband since his retirement from the AA in the mid-1980s.
She said: “He was chief
engineer through its (the AA’s) rapid development in the 1970s and 1980s.
“He had the capacity to make enemies throughout the global motor industry but, by offering constructive criticism in the nicest possible way, made only friends.
“Manufacturers of tyres, vehicles and vehicle parts held him in awe, and he was a familiar figure at motor shows across the world, a twinkle-eyed visitor greeted with consternation or pleasure depending on his latest strictures or praise.
“Throughout his long career, it is said that he never uttered an unkind word about anyone.
“But many remember his habit of falling asleep halfway through lunch or supper, and especially during long-winded motor-industry presentations – inspiring only greater respect among those who appreciated his erudition.
“He was a wonderful man, who was very, very skilled and very bright.”
Mr Jacobson, who lived in Reading Road, Finchampstead, for more than 30 years, was born in Germany and arrived in England in 1938, aged 17, after being briefly detained by the Nazis for being Jewish.
He did not speak any English, but soon spoke it fluently and became a foreman before landing a job as chief projects engineer for Perkins, where he was responsible for the design and development of diesel engines and industrial gas turbines.
But it is for his innovative work in the development of the AA that he will be most remembered, raising the standard of individual ability and broadening the service offered to AA members through the more rigorous appointment of garages, improved road testing of cars, and the capture and evaluation of data gathered during the core business of repairing vehicles at the roadside.
Karen Myers, communications director for the AA, said: “Marcus’ work among the industry and the media enhanced the AA’s reputation for technical excellence and objectivity, which the AA benefits from to this day.”
Mr Jacobson’s funeral, which was attended by many friends and colleagues, was in Guildford last Wednesday.
it is very gratifying to see a man from such a background thrive in the face of the greatest adversity and go on to live such a full and rewarding life.His life should inspire all,my sympathies to his family and friends
I’ve just spoke to Anne (she didn’t realise that I didn’t know) and sobbed like a child, ■■■■■■■■ my job at times but she’s ok and want’s me too run her to Paris for the motor show. I will do that for her and Marcus (zb my job)
Thank’s again all.
Lindsey.
hi ya lindsey what a wonderful man he sounded another unsung pioneer of engineering like everybody else has said my condolences to you and his wife and his family
Why is it, that just when this country needs MEN and WOMEN like Marcus, we lose him.
Thank you Ossie for such an informative post.
He must have made a HUGE positive impact in so many peoples lives, and most of us didn’t even know he existed.
Lindsay, you go and take his dear lady to Paris, and the motor show there, and have a good time.
my deepiest sympathies to yourself lady and his wife,another great man is taken from this earth.and the saddest part we didn’t even get the chance to know of him.i suppose that was the way this great man would have wanted it.god rest his sole
i will say a prayer for you lady…time is a great healer…cherish the memories lady
Once again thank you Dratsabasti Anne rang me again tonight and much like Marcus she is coping better than myself but I will take her come hell and high water! [zb] the job but thank’s bud.
Lindsey.
kitkat:
my deepiest sympathies to yourself lady and his wife,another great man is taken from this earth.and the saddest part we didn’t even get the chance to know of him.i suppose that was the way this great man would have wanted it.god rest his sole
:
Kitkat, so true thank you and too cheers Neil. :wink
Thank you cornish.
kitkat:
my deepiest sympathies to yourself lady and his wife,another great man is taken from this earth.and the saddest part we didn’t even get the chance to know of him.i suppose that was the way this great man would have wanted it.god rest his sole
i will say a prayer for you lady…time is a great healer…cherish the memories lady
I emailed this thread to Anne, she rang me.
She is is printing our words off. Thank you all.
But most of all thank you Kitkat, your words are killing me but never a truer word spoken in jest!
my condolences to your goodself and his wife and family.
