DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A longtime Iowa philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to the state’s three universities and other organizations has died at age 79.
A manager at Serenity Funeral Home in Largo, Florida, confirmed that Richard Jacobson died Friday.
Jacobson, the founder of Des Moines-based shipping and logistics company Jacobson Cos., died in his Florida home, the Des Moines Register reports.
The businessman grew up in Belmond, Iowa. Jacobson donated $100 million to the Mayo Clinic in 2011, which was the largest gift Mayo had ever received from a living donor.
He also gave the University of Northern Iowa’s College of Education $15 million, which was the largest donation in the school’s history.
Gov. Terry Branstad called Jacobson an “Iowa business icon who relished in his philanthropic efforts.”
