JOHN JACOBSON

Class of 1966
​Inducted in 2025

John was inducted into the SHSAA Hall of Fame in 2025.

John graduated from South in 1966.  After graduating, he attended UNL where he majored in Physics and was in the Navy ROTC program.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physics and was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy.  John earned his master’s degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. His research concentrated on how a laser caused damage to solar cells.

During his 20 plus year career in the Navy, John served in several challenging and responsible billets both at seas and ashore. At sea, John was a Surface Warfare Officer and served as Main Propulsion Assistant and Navigator on USS Glennon, Assistant First Lieutenant on USS Spartanburg County, Engineering Officer on USS Dupont, and First Lieutenant on USS Iwo Jima. 

Ashore, John’s assignments included Assistant Ship’s Logistics Manager with Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command where they worked on major improvements to amphibious and auxiliary ships in the US Navy, and as Military Sealift Command where he was the Chief Design Engineer for MSC for the T-AGOS 19 class Ocean Surveillance Ships.  He also served two tours as a Master Instructor at the US Naval Academy teaching physics and engineering.

John retired from the Navy in 1990 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.   After retirement, he shifted to a career as a high school teacher.  For the next 15 years, he challenged students in both public and private schools to master the mysteries of physics and other physical sciences.  He started the first robotics team at both schools and introduced AP physics and engineering courses at both schools. 

John retired from teaching in 2009.  He and his wife, Susan, have lived in the Annapolis, Maryland area for the past 43 years.  They have two grown children and three grandchildren.