Author

Theodor Robert Jacobsen

I wrote this book for kids of all ages.  Over the years, I would often think of my grandfather and me.  For at least a decade and probably a lot longer, I knew that these thoughts were a story waiting to be told.

When I was 7, I visited my grandfather, Karl T. Jacobsen, at the Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  He was on his deathbed.  It was January and it was bitterly cold.  I ran back down that hospital hall one last time, knowing it would be the last time I'd see him.  I wanted to say goodbye.  My parents waited.  They were prodding me to get going.  I didn't want to leave.

A few days later, I was sent off to the neighbors to spend the night.  The next morning I was eating breakfast before school, and the radio was on.  Ken Bjerke was doing the morning news report on KDEC.  What followed seemed like a 15 minute obituary of my grandfather.  Not having been informed that my grandpa had died during the night, it was a jarring moment, and the tears flowed into the milk in my corn flakes.  My 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Winger, reported that "Teddy had a bad day".

In August of 2009, we dropped off our oldest child in Decorah to begin her college days.  Luther's President, Rick Torgerson, had extended an invitation to alumni parents of incoming first year students to a reception at his house.  I went.  On my way out the front door, I mentioned to him that the 150th anniversary of Luther College was coming up in 2011.  Rick said, "Yes, and if you have any ideas, let me know."  I Did have some ideas, and a few months later, the memories became vivid, the words flowed, and I was able to express a lifetime of emotions about my family, my childhood, and home.

I sent President Torgerson my thoughts, in both a written and audio version.  Less than 72 hours later, he called me.  Rick was excited and told me he'd used my "terrific" story in Minneapolis/St. Paul at a 150th Anniversary dinner.  He said there would be many more similar gatherings of alumni and supporters, and he planned to continue sharing the family story.  I told him he was welcome to use my words anytime.  Later that year, my brother attended one of those events on the campus, and the Jacobsen story was still being told.  Our family's history represents many other "Luther families" as well, and their generations of commitment.  The word "Legacy" comes to mind.

Who doesn't feel strongly about their alma mater?  I hope my story and this book inspire loyalty and support in all Luther alumni.

My sister, Anne, agreed to illustrate the book.  While she isn't a Luther graduate (she went to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Anne shared my family, house, roots and upbringing.  All of us Jacobsen kids had the Luther campus as our backyard.  Brothers David & Karl and many of our older cousins led the way for Anne and I through the rich and turbulent culture of the 1960's from our little perch near the pioneer memorial.  We had a front row seat as Luther's student body and faculty reflected the best of those times in music, sports, poetry, art, science and so much more.

This book was written in Johnson County, Iowa, where I live.  The illustrating was done by the shores of Lake Chelan in the state of Washington, where Anne's home is.  She is an artist there.  The project of this book has been a labor of love for both of us!  To Luther!  Go Norse!