Jacob Mesch

EVENTS. 2

Out of the Darkness

Oct 5, 2019, 10:00 AM US/Eastern

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- In Person
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

North Winning Way, Portland, OR, USA

Register as part of Team Jacob: https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=register.start&eventID=6162
Celebration of Life

Sep 12, 2019, 3:30 PM US/Eastern

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- In Person
New Song Community Church

2511 NE MLK Portland, Oregon 97212

New Song Church has a viewing area for families with small children, so please feel free to bring your loved ones no matter their age.

Memorial Created By
Craig Rusch

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Jacob Mesch

December 14, 2000 - September 04, 2019

Join us in celebrating the life of Jacob Mesch. Contribute to this lasting memorial by sharing stories, memories, photos, and videos. The Mesches love and appreciate all of the support so please visit them. But before you go, please call ahead. As we plan gatherings, we will post invites with event... see more

OBITUARY

Jacob Latif Mesch was born December 14, 2000 to loving parents Leila Hotaki Mesch and Andrew Orwar Mesch, Jr., within minutes of his twin sister Kira Helen Mesch. A beloved son, brother, neighbor, and friend, Jacob lived his entire life in Portland, Oregon. He attended Chapman Elementary School, West Sylvan Middle School, and graduated from Lincoln High School last spring. From a very young age, Jacob was captivated by the creatures... see more

From a very young age, Jacob was captivated by the creatures of the sky. He shared his love of birds with many. Jacob also enjoyed all kinds of fishing – deep sea, river, off-shore, rock fishing – and cared deeply about conservation and ecology.

Jacob devoured books, and shared his passion for reading as a Summer Reading volunteer at the Northwest Library for many years. Inspired by a trip to Pearl Harbor as a young child, Jacob was particularly fascinated by history, especially military history, and the big questions it poses: How did this happen? Why? What does it mean? He had a strong sense of justice and often rooted for the underdog.

A determined athlete, Jacob rose at 6:30 am to practice shot put and discus, rising to become a top thrower on the Lincoln track and field team and in the state. But more importantly, Jacob was a mentor on the team, full of brotherly love for his teammates.

Jacob was all about people. He was sensitive, empathetic, and kind, even to his sister (most of the time). He developed relationships widely and valued them highly. He was funny, genuinely interested in people, and had a wonderful ability to put people at ease.

Jacob will be remembered as loving, full of life, enthusiastic, charismatic, loyal, and a natural leader. Jacob’s family wants the world to know how much he was loved and how much he will be missed. In addition to his parents and sister, Jacob is survived by his aunts Anne Mesch, Joan Heather, and Mari Hotaki; uncles Denis Heather and Kevin Mesch; grandparents Jana Hutcheson and Latif Hotaki and numerous cousins.

A Celebration of Jacob’s Life will take place Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 3:30 PM at the New Song Community Church, 2511 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97210. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Portland Audubon Society (https://audubonportland.org/ways-to-give/) or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (https://afsp.org/take-action/give-a-gift/).

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Sarah Harrington added 8 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 30, 2019
Laurie Bird:

September 17, 2019 · via iPhone

9/16/19: A full double rainbow shortly before Kira left to return to school. I felt that it was Jacob sending her a message. We live next door to the Mesch family and I called Andrew to make sure he saw this. This moment of beauty was a breath of fresh... more

9/16/19: A double full rainbow shortly before Kira left to return to school. I felt that it was Jacob sending her a message. We live next door to the Mesch family and I called Andrew to make sure he saw this. This moment of beauty was a breath of fresh... more
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Sadie Schreiter:

September 12, 2019 · via iPhone
Summer Hoag:

September 12, 2019 · via mobile

My heart is broken for you! Jacob's smile is still fresh in my mind, and seeing these pictures of him as a young man it seems he kept the smile all along. You all have such a special place in my heart I wish I knew what to say or do. Love you guys and am... more
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Tracy Perkins:

September 11, 2019

It's been what, 15 or 16 years since the Toddler Room at co-op... but still such a gut punch. Your family is in our thoughts, particularly Kira, and we send our sincerest condolences. I just remember both of their happy smiles and passion for dress up... more
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Abby Schwartz added 5 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 11, 2019
- Abby Schwartz a few from Carol Warner - Chapman Kindergarten and first grade productions
  
  September 11, 2019
Stacy Rosoff:

September 10, 2019

I had the absolute honor of teaching Jacob in 3rd grade, and I remember him fondly as being an incredibly intelligent and kind person. My heart goes out to his family. Here are a few memories from 3rd grade.
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Susan Smallsreed added 2 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 10, 2019
- Susan Smallsreed SRP 2013
  
  September 10, 2019
Susan Smallsreed:

September 10, 2019

From ages 3-5 Jacob and Kira were regular participants in storytime at Northwest Library. They were such a joy! They listened, participated, joked and teased with me. Jacob continued to stay in touch, volunteering for the summer reading program (SRP)... more
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Zachary Schwartz:

September 10, 2019

My fondest memory of Jacob and I was way back in the third grade. Jacob and I had just finished up school and were hungry for a snack. So we walked back to Jacobs house and proceeded to make home made french fries in the firer cutting up the potatoes and... more
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Susan Smallsreed added 1 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 10, 2019
- Lisa Hamilton reacted on this.
- Susan Smallsreed Summer Reading Volunteer 2016
  
  September 10, 2019
Abby Schwartz added 5 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 10, 2019
- Abby Schwartz 3rd grade
  
  September 10, 2019
Greta Hilbourne :

September 10, 2019

Jacob will forever be part of our family's memories. He was our friend, neighbor, classmate, soccer rival (Hucks vs. Sidewinders), friendly upper classman, track teammate, and more. We are so sad to lose him and send our love to his family. His kindness... more
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Juliet Hyams:

September 10, 2019

I'm so sorry that I'm unlikely to attend, since I now work in the City of Wheeler. But this loss to my friends and community is continually on my mind. I've known Jacob's family since he and Kira were in kindergarten, with my son Ty. I've enjoyed... more
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Gaspard Mollin:

September 10, 2019 · via mobile

Thank you for introducing me to American life. I keep a fabulous memory of you from your smile. Forever my American friend.
your little french
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Eric Dettman:

September 10, 2019 · via iPhone
Ellen Stearns:

September 10, 2019

Max was new to Chapman in 5th grade and was lucky to be befriended by smiley, funny, clever Jacob. I am grateful for the fun times they shared. We mourn his loss and send our deepest condolences to his family and all who love him.
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Sarah Harrington added 4 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 10, 2019
- Sarah Harrington Thanks to Tasha Miller for these photos.
  
  September 10, 2019
Eric Dettman:

September 9, 2019

My favorite memory of Jacob came the day after a meet when one of our top sprinters got hurt and was ruled out for the season. I pulled the boys Varsity who had hopes of winning a district title into a meeting and spoke about next man up, scratching and... more
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Abby Schwartz added 3 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 9, 2019
Joanes Amenabar:

September 9, 2019 · via mobile

I have spent just a month with you in the USA. In those 30 days you were really nice with me, and I lived memorable experiences with you. I will always remember you as a happy, kind and friendly friend. It is hard for me to explain how important you were... more
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Abby Schwartz:

September 9, 2019

Zach also played football with Jacob in 7-9 grades. Jacob played lineman in several positions. Football is often underappreciated for it's difficulty to play well. It is a total team sport, since if one person doesn't execute their job the whole play... more
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Marie Malyj:

September 8, 2019

Here's a few more pics from the early years.
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Marie Malyj:

September 8, 2019

We met Jacob (and Kira) shortly after we became parents for the first time. Together with Leila and Andrew and our neighborhood playgroup, we enjoyed many birthdays, Halloweens, Oaks Park outings and embarked on preschool together. Jacob was such a... more
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- Roseanne Lawrence reacted on this.
Madeline McKee:

September 8, 2019 · via iPhone

Much love to all of you as you walk through this first week, and all the weeks to follow. ♥️
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Abby Schwartz:

September 8, 2019

Jacob and Zach played on the Hillside (and later Sidewinders) soccer team in 2-5th grades. Jacob was affectionately nicknamed "The Wall", as he played defense and nothing could get past him.
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Craig Rusch added 2 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 8, 2019
Craig Rusch added 2 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 8, 2019
Sarah Harrington added 24 photo(s) to the memorial Jacob Mesch:

September 8, 2019
Sarah Harrington:

September 8, 2019

Jacob played the role of big brother to our son Finley on the Lincoln Track team. He was a great role model, teammate, and athlete. When we think of him, we remember the feeling that would swell inside of us when he would make a big throw. We knew how... more
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Kate O'Malley:

September 7, 2019

I met the Mesch family when we all stumbled into Mr. Mellings kindergarten class with our 5 year olds at Chapman Elementary. From across the street we have since cheered our sons on at many football games, watched them learn to drive and walk across the... more
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Craig Rusch:

September 7, 2019

Jacob came to Mexico on vacation with us when he and Cobi were in middle school. To us, birds were birds - big ones, small ones. But Jacob knew the names of every bird we saw and was on the hunt for a few he had never seen in person. He made our... more
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- Kate O'Malley reacted on this.