On the evening of April 28, 2023, Dennis Neil Jacobsen, 63, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a brief hospitalization due to an unexpected medical emergency. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, colleague, mentor, and most importantly, a friend to all.

Dennis is predeceased by his father, Neil Jacobsen, who served as an inspiration to him. He is survived by his mother Ruth Ann Jacobsen, his sisters Teresa (Terry) McCauley and Linda Hurley, his brothers-in-law Michael McCauley and Bill Hurley, his nephews Wade Hagerman and David McCauley, his nieces Rachael McCauley and Beverly Hurley, as well as the countless friends that he considered to be family.

He was born on December 16, 1959 in La Mirada, California, and spent the majority of his childhood in Fargo, North Dakota. Dennis entered North Dakota State University in 1977, studying theater and communications. He quickly became a fixture in the theater department, where he participated in more than twenty productions as actor, stage manager, and technician. His talents also led him across campus to KDSU-FM, NDSU’s NPR-affiliate radio station. It is here that Dennis would learn the craft of audio, which he would use to build an award-winning career in audio and video production.

Dennis left Fargo in 1983 to build his career. He worked for audio/video production houses in Minneapolis, Miami, and Washington, D.C., spending the last two decades with Interface Media Group, where he won two Emmy Awards. Dennis was sound designer and audio engineer on hundreds of projects and was especially proud of his work on documentaries. If you were lucky enough to spend some time in a room with him, he would eventually rack up one of his productions and regale you with all the audio wizardry it took to create a particular two-second transition. He would absolutely hate for you to know that his first audio production credit was on a VHS training video titled Teenage Ninja Karate Lessons.

Dennis was a passionate and loyal friend, and he formed many close relationships over the years. He was loved for his generous heart, adventurous spirit, and devilish sense of humor. His skills as a mentor and manager empowered his audio team to achieve success, and he was always there with advice and support. May we all remember Dennis when we drink Starbucks, when the newest Apple products are released, when we ski or scuba dive, when we listen to the Beatles, and most importantly, when we have meaningful conversations with the people we hold close to our hearts.

It was Dennis’s wish to celebrate his life through a memorial service. We will share more details regarding the event as they are determined. 

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