Kasson-Mantorville – Jacob Daniel Eckstein passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 4, 2018 in the city of Shaoyang in the Hunan province of China where he was employed as a teacher.
Jacob was 35 years old and was born May 3rd, 1983 in Moorhead, the son of Terry Eckstein and Nancy Brule. He resided in Kasson-Mantorville the majority of his life until he went off to college.
Jacob obtained a BS in English from the University of Nebraska, an MA in Communication Studies from Minnesota State University-Mankato, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. He was a writer, satirical cartoonist and lifelong educator and had taught at Penn State University, the University of Maryland, Shaoyang University in China, and had just accepted a permanent position in China teaching at the Shaoyang Center for English Education.
Jacob was a gifted writer and teacher who loved engaging students. He was known for his sharp and humorous wit and intelligence, his love of cultural, political, religious and historical discussions, and his energy and passion for life which he lived with compassion and care for others.
Jacob is survived by his mother and father, his sister Jessica Eckstein, his brother Aaron Eckstein, his brother-in-law David Kazibut, his stepfather Arthur Terry, his stepsister Ruth Terry, his grandparents Olive Eckstein and Roland and Carol Brule, and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
Arrangements for a memorial service are pending.
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