Gerard Anthony Jacobs, better known as Jerry, Dad, Grandpa, Jer, and Dr. Jacobs, passed peacefully from this world on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Benedictine Living Community, Dickinson, North Dakota. He was surrounded by God’s sunlight, birdsong, and his girls. 

Jerry was born July 3, 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Elizabeth and John Jacobs. He was the baby of the family with his 4 big brothers and sisters always looking out for him. At the age of 20, Jerry met the love of his life, Geralyn Hirt. Gera was not exactly single when they met, but Jerry’s thoughtfulness, charm, and kindness won out. They married, raised three incredible daughters, and spent 42 happy years together before Gera died of cancer in 2016. Jerry died wearing his well-worn gold wedding band. 

Jerry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend; he was also a trained psychologist who helped pioneer the field of disaster mental health. After earning his PhD in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of South Florida, he taught for 30 years in Vermillion, SD at the University of South Dakota as a Professor of Psychology, leading courses in disaster response, crisis intervention, and psychological first aid. In 1992, Jerry and his colleague and good friend, Dr. Randy Quevillon, founded the Disaster Mental Health Institute at USD. As part of the DMHI and the Red Cross, Jerry flew all over the world to help communities heal after a catastrophe. He was a steady and compassionate voice at numerous tragedies, including the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2004 tsunami in South Asia. 

His selfless service did not go unrecognized, and he was named Professor of the Year by his students, along with earning the International Humanitarian Award and Distinguished International Psychologist Award from The American Psychology Association. He received many letters and tokens of gratitude from the US Department of Health and Human Services for his work. Jerry truly made the world a better, gentler place for countless people. 

Jerry will be remembered for all the Saturday evening masses he and Gera led music for at the Newman Center in Vermillion; his fierce love and pride for his family and his work; the joy he found in travel and birding with his sweet dog, Angel; the many games of 500, Hearts, Racehorse, and Crazy 8s; and his loving sarcasm. He will be missed. 

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gera; his mom and dad, Bee and John; and his siblings Jim, Roseanne, and Tim. We know he greeted all his loved ones in heaven with a “Hi, Darlin’.” Forever an educator, Jerry has donated his body to the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. 

His daughters thank the caregivers at Hawks Point and St. Ben’s for their kindness and compassion. 

Jerry supported many charities throughout his life; if you’d like to honor him, here are some of his favorites:

Water.org   Click to Donate

Heifer International   Click to Donate

The National Association for the Education of Young Children  Click to Donate