Jacob Bernard Paperman, 90, of Placentia, California passed away peacefully on October 29th, 2015.
Jacob is survived by his wife June of 9 years; sons, Eric (Jennifer) and Joseph (Lisa); grandchildren, Roland, Lilith and Milo; and several loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Jacob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to all. Jacob was predeceased by his first wife, Vera, who succumbed to leukemia on September 28, 2004.
Born in Philadelphia on May 6th, 1925 to Joseph and Esther Paperman, Jacob traveled widely and lived in many locations before settling down in Placentia, California.
Enamored with flying, Jacob entered the Army Air Corp after finishing High School. He completed flight school training near the end of WWII and volunteered for a posting in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater. Jacob took great pride in his contributions as one of the youngest members of the elite Hump Pilots Association. After many years as a navigator, co-pilot and pilot, Jacob became a Staff Auditor in 1958 earning both an Undergraduate Degree and an MBA. Jacob served in the Army Air Corp and then the United States Air Force for 27 years until his retirement on January 31st, 1970 at the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Upon retiring from the Air Force, Jacob began his second career teaching accounting as an Instructor at the University of Dayton. In 1971 he passed the CPA exam and received the Elijah Watt Sells award for the top score in the State of Ohio.
In 1972 Jacob began pursuing his PhD in Accounting at the University of Cincinnati and at the same time became a Lecturer at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After completing his PhD, Jacob was promoted to Professor at Miami University.
In 1981 Jacob moved to Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. At Wright State Jacob served as the Accounting Department Chair and spearheaded the drive to establish student scholarships. After seven years as Department Chair Jacob decided to slow down and find an area with better weather. Jacob left Wright State in 1988 and became a Professor at Cal State University, Fullerton until his retirement from academia in 1993.
While stationed in Germany in 1955, Jacob met Vera Reisinger and after a brief courtship they were married on August 7th, 1956. They remained happily married for 48 years, having two sons (Eric and Joseph) and four dogs (Brunhilda, Isolde, Beauty and Smokey).
Jacob was fortunate enough to find love a second time with a retired Pre-K teacher, June Ahlering. They were married on February 27th, 2007. Jacob found great joy in his last years with June and also valued the strong friendships he developed with her children, June Anne Goetz and Bruce Seymour, step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jacob will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Vera at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a date to be determined.
Donations can be made in Jacob's name to the Jacob B. and Vera O. Paperman Scholarship Fund at Wright State University: Wright State University Foundation, Foundation Building 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH 45435
https://www.wright.edu/giving-alumni
