Jacobson honored at pickleball courts dedication ceremony
Published 2:30 pm Wednesday, November 19, 2025
As pickleballs thumped off players’ racquets in the background, Mercer Island Mayor Salim Nice led a dedication ceremony to officially name the Luther Burbank Park courts after former city councilmember Daniel “Jake” Jacobson on the afternoon of Nov. 18.
In front of a crowd of friends, city officials and employees and myriad community members, Nice spoke highly about Jacobson’s commitment and contributions to Mercer Island before several city councilmembers unveiled a plaque adorned with Jacobson’s photo and written highlights of his life and city service.
Jacobson, a six-year Mercer Island City Councilmember, passed away on March 30 at the age of 82. He was a distinguished Navy veteran, attorney and longtime civic leader, Nice said in a previous Reporter story.
“These courts honor the spirit he brought to every part of this community. A spirit of kindness, dedication and connection. May they remind us of a life lived in service to others, a life rooted in the community, and a life that made Mercer Island stronger,” said Nice, who added that Jacobson possessed enthusiasm, curiosity, humor and a genuine desire to lift others up.
At council’s Oct. 7 regular meeting — when council approved the naming of the “Jake Jacobson Pickleball Courts” — Nice said that Jacobson cared a lot about the courts and gave input to the engineers as they were renovating the site. While pointing toward the eight new courts and their robust usage at the ceremony, Nice said they’re a great asset to the community.
“Jake brought sharp insight and strengthened the work we did together. His professional background gave him a level of clarity that helped us ask better questions and make better decisions,” Nice said.
The mayor noted that Jacobson championed Mercer Island’s Youth and Family Services department along with investing in safe and modern infrastructure by voting to rebuild the city’s docks and revitalize the waterfront trail, and supporting improvements in city parks, playgrounds, roads and more.
Mercer Island’s Robert Medved, who attended the ceremony, considered Jacobson his best friend and could count on him being there when needed. The pair were housemates for two and a half years and had much in common: attending undergrad school and law school, going on tours in the service and starting private law practices.
“He was just pure of heart. Just really was looking for the good of everything,” said Medved, who lived in Jacobson’s home with his two dogs.
Medved added that what made Jacobson a good friend was his strength of mind and integrity.
While eyeing Jacobson’s memorial plaque, Medved liked what he saw and noted, “I’m obviously biased, but if it was up to me, I’d name the new city hall after Jake. I’d dedicate everything.” Medved ordered a memorial brick for Jacobson to be placed at the Mercer Island VFW hall in August.
Jacobson’s friend and longtime Mercer Island resident Bobbi Pochman also attended the ceremony and said she began working closely with him when he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“He got involved in everything. I was a teacher in an adult class, and he came to the class all the time and we talked about it,” Pochman said. “He was just probably the most selfless person I’ve ever met. He always thought of everybody else. For him, serving others was what it was all about, and he just was always there if somebody needed something.”
Giving to others also meant bringing flowers from his garden to the church every Sunday morning for placement in the chapel and for people to take home, Pochman said. She appreciated Jacobson’s service on the city council and said he was an all-around good guy.
