Roberta Josephine “Tinker” Jacobs, 89, of Aurora, Colo., passed away on March 28, 2024. She was born July 23, 1934 to Simon and Ida Jacobs, in Hays, one of six children.
A 1952 graduate from Hays High School, Tinker helped blaze a trail for women while becoming a renowned biochemist after earning a B.A. degree at the Fort Hays Kansas State College (now FHSU) in 1956 with a major in biology and minor in zoology.
She spent her career researching immunology possibilities with a focus on finding ways to improve treatments for arthritis and lupus, among other health issues. While working at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in the 1980s, at least three of her research papers were published in the Journal of Immunological Methods. She retired from her career as a research scientist from the University of Colorado Health Science Center in Denver.
Throughout her career, she continued to teach and learn while earning multiple post-graduate degrees. Beginning at the University of Buffalo with an M. Med in medicine (1962), continuing at the University of Kansas with an M. Arts in biology (1966), and concluding at the State University of New York-Buffalo with a Ph.D. in biochemistry (1980), Tinker was focused on helping others.
When not studying or working, Tinker spent time hiking and cycling, honing her photography skills, and caring for a collection of pets, including her beloved ‘Little Guy’ after retiring in the Denver area. While living in Oklahoma City, Okla., she became a handywoman as she worked through the process of fixing problems and making improvements as a homeowner.
She is survived by her sister, Stephanie Schumacher (Leon) of Hays, four nephews, seven nieces, and 12 great-nephews and great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Ida (Linenberger) Jacobs, brothers David Jacobs, Leroy Jacobs and Norman Jacobs, sister Verna Lou (Jacobs) LaBan, and two nieces, Robin LaBan White and Stacey Schumacher Badger.
A memorial service has been scheduled for October 26, 2024 in Hays, Kansas. This obituary will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider making a donation to the Aurora (Colo.) Animal Shelter. Donations can be sent by mail or made online. To donate by check payable to the Aurora Animal Shelter, mail it to: 15750 E. 32nd Ave., Aurora, CO 80011. To donate online, go to: https://licensepet.com/wl3/don/aurowd/457. Condolences and memories of Tinker may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com