Richard Jacobs (businessman)

Richard E. "Dick" Jacobs (June 16, 1925 – June 5, 2009) was an American businessman and real estate developer who co-founded the Jacobs Entertainment, Inc., Richard E. Jacobs Group, and owner of the Cleveland Indians from 1986 to 1999.[1]

For other people named Richard Jacobs, see Richard Jacobs (disambiguation).
Richard E. Jacobs
Born
Richard E. Jacobs

June 16, 1925
Akron, Ohio
DiedJune 5, 2009(2009-06-05) (aged 83)
Westlake, Ohio
NationalityAmerican
EducationB.A. Indiana University
Occupation(s)Businessman, Sports Entrepreneur, Sports Franchise Owner, Real Estate Developer
Known forCo-founder of Richard E. Jacobs Group, and Owner of Cleveland Indians from 1986 to 1999
SpouseHelen Jacobs (Chaney) (divorced 1983)
Children3
Parent(s)Vivan and Adeline Jacobs
FamilyDavid H. Jacobs (brother), Jeffrey P. Jacobs (son)
AwardsTwo-time American League Champion 1995, 1997, Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame (class of 2009)

Biography

Jacobs was born in 1925 in Akron, Ohio[2] In 1943, he served in the Army during World War II.[2] In 1949, he graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business administration and accepted a job with a development company in Akron.[2] In 1955, he and his brother, David H. Jacobs, started a general contracting company that concentrated on the building of small strip malls. The company grew rapidly and by 1992, the Jacobs Group ranked fourth in the nation in the development and management of enclosed malls owning 40 malls in 16 states outright; they also owned 31 Wendy's fast-food restaurants and several Marriott Hotels & Resorts.[2] The Jacobs Group company builds and leases shopping centers, offices, and hotels. Among its properties are Key Tower and Westgate Mall in Cleveland, Ohio, and Triangle Town Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. His company also built Westland Mall, Northland Mall, and Eastland Mall in Columbus, Ohio.

Along with his brother,[3] Jacobs was also well known for owning the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 1999. The Jacobs built and opened Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1994. The ballpark bore his family name from its opening in April 1994 until January 2008. Jacobs' tenure as Indians owner marked one of the team's most successful periods in franchise history the team went 1119-1080 during the regular season, and 25-22 during the postseason, reaching the World Series on two occasions (1995, and 1997), and winning American League Central Division championships in five consecutive seasons (1995-1999). Under Jacobs ownership the Indians also hosted the 1997 All-Star Game.

Jacobs was a co-owner with his son, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, of Jacobs Entertainment, Inc., a casino and racetrack company after they merged companies in 2002.[4]

Jacobs died on June 5, 2009, after a long illness at his Westlake home.[5] The funeral was held at the Rocky River United Methodist Church.[6] He was buried at Lakewood Park Cemetery in Rocky River, Ohio.

Awards and honors

As Indians owner

As a businessman
  • 2009 Downtown Cleveland Alliance Ruth Ratner Miller Award (for his contributions in developing the downtown area - awarded posthumously)[7]
  • The Cleveland Clinic branch in Avon, Ohio, named the Richard E. Jacobs Health Center
  • Nautica Pavilion in Cleveland renamed Jacobs Pavilion (partially) in honor of Jacobs in 2011 following his death (as his son Jeffery owns the facility).

References
  1. Richard E. Jacobs Group, Inc.: Organization. Accessed 2007-05-01.
  2. Hevesi, Dennis. "Richard E. Jacobs, Former Owner of Cleveland Indians, Dies at 83". The New York Times, 6 June 2009
  3. "David H. Jacobs, 71, a Developer And Owner of Cleveland Indians". The New York Times. 1992-09-19.
  4. Joe Whittington (February 20, 2007). "Caruthersville casino may have new owner". St. Louis Post-Dispatch – via NewsBank.
  5. Baranick, Alana; Dolgan, Bob (2009-06-05). "Indians former owner, developer Dick Jacobs dies at 83". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  6. Cleveland plain Dealer: "Quiet leader saved Indians: Richard Jacobs, 1925-2009" by Bill Lubinger June 06, 2009
  7. Jacobs wins award - Cleveland.com
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