Jacob Stern

Oriental, NC

Jacob Stern was born on Staten Island, NY on February 7, 1924. He was the youngest child of Herman and Lillie Stern and the only one of five siblings born in the United States.

After graduating from Curtis High School, he entered the United States Army Air Corps and served in Italy with the 483rd. After World War II, he worked as a machinist in Detroit, Michigan and attended Wayne State University where he earned a Ph.D. and served on the faculty. He retired as Associate Professor Emeritus of the University of Illinois in 1984. The Stern family retired to Oriental, NC where Dr. Stern enjoyed his passion for wooden boats and community service. He was a charter member of the Oriental Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, was founding President of the Pamlico County Education Foundation, and was named Pamlico County Citizen of the Year in 1994. He served as congregation lay leader, President, Trustee (and various other roles) of Temple B'nai Sholem in New Bern, NC for 29 years. But beyond the facts of life he was a man unlike any other. He shared his enormous heart and mind freely, and never tired of the joys of learning throughout his life.

Dr. Stern is survived by his wife Marilyn, four children (Sam Stern, of Corvallis, Oregon; Anita Feng, of Issaquah, Washington; Daniel Stern, of Carrboro, NC; and Lili-Marguerite Stern of Oriental), eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Dr. Stern died at home with his family at his bedside in Oriental, NC on August 27th. A graveside burial service was held at the Hebrew Cemetery in New Bern on August 28th.

A memorial service will be held at Temple B'nai Sholem in New Bern at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 3rd.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that he be remembered with donations to Temple B’nai Sholem, Hospice of Pamlico County or the Pamlico County Education Foundation or the charity of your choice.