The Rev. Louis J. Putz, C.S.C., Award - 2015: Dick E. Jacob ’56

Published on March 26, 2026

2015: Dick E. Jacob ’56

 
 

With this award, Dick E. Jacob ’56 is honored for his years of selfless service to his community, the Church, and the Notre Dame family.

A former Navy Seabee and a retiree from Abbott Laboratories, Jacob has for decades served as the “rock” and “conscience” of the Notre Dame Club of Lake County, IL, according to his fellow club members. A longtime board member, Jacob spearheads the club’s two major community service initiatives each year, and he has been a leader in growing the club’s scholarship fund for local students. Jacob and his wife, Janet, have hosted game-watches and other club events at their home every year. He organized and leads a monthly senior alumni breakfast, which has met for 115 consecutive months.    

Jacob also has selflessly devoted his energy and passion to the Church. For 25 years, he and Janet led marriage preparation courses for their local parish and the Archdiocese of Chicago. Jacob also coordinates the parish’s senior service projects and conducts annual tours of Chicago for his fellow parishioners. He has played a key leadership role in Carmel Catholic High School’s annual fundraising effort for more than 40 years. 

Jacob offers these words of thanks:

“To receive a personal award from Our Lady’s University is very meaningful to me. I am deeply honored and very grateful. I deeply love Notre Dame, and I am very proud of the University’s many accomplishments. I thank Janet, my wife of 55 years, who always supports my involvement in anything no matter the time required.  She has participated in many things with me making them even more fun. I thank you Notre Dame for what you strive to be, for this honor, and most especially, for being a revered part of my life.”

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