Never was there a more loving and honorable man than Arturo Alfonso Jacobs, age 87, who died September 5, 2022, in Edmonds, Washington. He was born in Laredo, Texas, on May 28, 1935, to José C Jacobs and Adelfa (García) Jacobs and graduated from Laredo’s Martin High School in 1952. He served two years in the U.S. Army 1954-56, during which he was stationed in Germany for 18 months. Arturo earned a BBA at the University of Texas at Austin (1958) and an MBA at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio (1973). His career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began in 1958. In 1981, the IRS Executive Board selected Arturo as the first Director of the then-new Houston District of IRS (1981-1992). Previously, he was IRS Director for Washington State (1978-1981), New Mexico (1975-1978), and Assistant Director in Louisiana (1974-75). In 1991, President George H.W. Bush presented Arturo with the Meritorious Executive Award, one of the highest awards the President of the United States can give a government executive. Arturo also received the IRS’ highest national honor, the IRS Commissioner’s Award, in 1988 and 1992. He was everyone’s “favorite boss” for a demonstrated commitment in words and actions to his employees and the communities he served.

After 33 years of service in the IRS, Arturo retired in 1992 and became an international tax consultant. For more than 25 years, he provided tax administration guidance to governments of more than 30 countries around the world on tax reform projects financed by the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the Inter-American Development Bank; and the U.S. Treasury Department.

Arturo is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Belinda, a retired school teacher who often accompanied him on his consulting travels around the world. Other survivors, whom he adored with all his heart (and who loved him back, beyond measure), include son René Jacobs (Betty); daughter Diana Noble (Russ); five grandchildren: Taylor (Tay) Noble; Adam Noble; Sierra Noble, Dylan Jacobs and Isaiah Jacobs; daughter-in-law MarLisa Jacobs; step-grandchildren Melanie Ayers and Joseph Kulakowski; great-granddaughter, Cora Noble; brother, José Jacobs Jr of Laredo as well as numerous other cherished relatives. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Arturo Jacobs, Jr., brother David Jacobs and sister Dolores Hall.

All the positive adjectives in the world couldn’t adequately convey the beauty of Arturo’s spirit, his gentle and generous nature, wisdom, empathy, humor, patience, kindness, integrity and tender heart. His legacy will live on in all those whom he knew and loved. Arturo’s Seattle family will host a private dinner in his honor. In lieu of flowers, you may donate in his name to the Texas Exes (University of Texas) Hispanic Alumni Network Scholarship Fund at: https://www.texasexes.org/chapters-and-networks/find-chapter-or-network/149/hispanic-alumni.