It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing Gretchen A. Jacobson, a dear friend, colleague, and former Managing Editor-in-Chief of Materials Performance (MP) magazine.
Dating back to the last century, Gretchen provided 25 years of dedicated service to MP. Although she formally retired in 2022, she continued to provide assistance to MP until early 2024.
Gretchen graduated from San Diego State University in 1981 and worked in various publishing roles prior to joining NACE International (now AMPP, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance) in 1997. She experienced many changes throughout her career, not only in corrosion engineering but in the evolution of publishing, as well.
Over her many years of distinguished service, Gretchen’s journey evolved from creating magazine negatives and mailing them to the printer to submitting files electronically. While the print edition remains essential to many, she played a key role in making MP accessible online, including its archive of past issues.
Throughout the decades of her excellent work at AMPP, she enjoyed interacting with members, board members, and the Publications Committee. She viewed many as friends, first, before considering any work implications. She also developed strong friendships with many of her AMPP colleagues, who will greatly miss her expertise, leadership, and warm presence.
A former T.J. Hull Award winner—an award given for outstanding contribution to publications—relayed a memory of Gretchen while giving his acceptance speech.
“When I mentioned Gretchen’s name in the speech, the spontaneous applause from the audience was stunning,” he recalls. “I, and many others, realized the very high regard in which she is held by the membership. An officer came up to me after the dinner and said, ‘You’d think she won the award instead of you.’ I replied, ‘She deserved it more than me, but the staff is not eligible for these awards.’”
Gretchen is survived by her husband Gary, two daughters, and six grandchildren.
Source: MP Magazine, www.materialsperformance.com.
Statement by Jack Tinnea, Technical Editor, MP
I first met Gretchen when she was introduced to the NACE Publications Committee in 1997, and I continued to work with her through the Pubs—including when I chaired that committee in the mid-2000s. We worked closest when I became involved in the technical editing of Materials Performance (MP) in 2015. She brought both invention and enthusiasm to every issue of MP. We will miss your leadership.
Rest easy in my heart, my dear friend.
Statement by Rebecca A. Bickham, Editor-in-Chief, MP
Gretchen was an incredible mentor to me. Her vision and dedication paved the way for the magazine’s success. Her contributions were instrumental in shaping the MP brand and laying the foundation for its growth.
Her legacy continues to live on in the work we do today.
Statement by Eliina Lizarraga, Senior Director of Media, Publishing, and Sales, AMPP
I had the privilege of meeting Gretchen in 2006 when NACE expanded its publishing efforts, and she became both my boss and mentor. Her guidance and vast knowledge of NACE/AMPP and publishing were invaluable, and her leadership profoundly shaped AMPP’s publications group over the years.
Gretchen had an incredible ability to connect with members, earning their respect and trust through her dedication and kindness. Her contributions to our organization and her unwavering commitment to excellence left an enduring legacy that will be deeply missed.