Rob Jacob of Kinsale was a benign presence in many areas of life, both locally in Kinsale, and nationally and internationally in the design aspects of the marine industry, and in sailing itself as an enthusiastic and active participant in a remarkable variety of boats.
His recent widely-mourned death has come after a busy career in which he first came to attention as a significant member of the Ron Holland design team when it was head-quartered in Crosshaven and later in Kinsale. Then in 1996 he became one of the partners in Jacob, Lynch Small of Kinsale, specialising in several areas of marine design with an international clientele.
But his interest in design of all kinds and his obliging and friendly nature meant that if some special design challenge afloat or ashore emerged, he would be called upon to provide what invariably proved to be an interesting and elegant solution, and tangible memorials to his talent can be found in many places and buildings, both in the Kinsale/Crosshaven area and beyond.
Yet despite a sometimes prodigious work-load, he could readily find time for a friendly chat which could quickly find itself ranging knowledgeably over an ever-broadening selection of topics. But the work would get done, and then when sailing came top of the agenda, he would be ready, willing and very able, whether it was offshore at the top level, or in whatever inshore keelboat class was setting the pace in Kinsale at the time.
He was a cherished and life-enhancing presence in the Kinsale community in every sense, and our thoughts and condolences are with his family, colleagues and very many friends at home and abroad.
WMN
