Alan Kaniss

SWIM TEAM – Ron Arnoldi/Bob Siefert many times reminded me that they were instrumental in reviving a lackluster neighborhood swim team. THAT IS WHERE I FIRST MET JACOB AND HIS BROTHERS in 1989/1990. He was about 12.

CONCESSION STAND –
JACOB & FRIENDS HELPED IN RETURN FOR FREE FOODJOSH - turned around and saw this little guy, “Who are you”? How old – 7

I must admit that I thought they were pulling my leg when someone first told me that Jake, Jonathan & Josh were brothers. They couldn’t have been more different.

Jacob was clearly BOB’S image and likeness. Jonathan I was sure had been ADOPTED, he was so quiet and reserved and Josh was a LONE WOLF marching to his own tune.

They reminded me of the three brothers on the BOB NEWHEART show, Darryl, his brother Larry and his other brother Larry.

JACOB was the BIG BROTHER and ROLE MODEL for Jonathan & Josh

They, like Jacob were POLITE, RESPECTFUL, WELL MANNERED, ALWAYS HAPPY and NEVER hesitated when I asked for help in anyway.

Called to BORROW their DOUBLE LADDER to clean pine needles from roof, Jake said he’d deliver and walked it over.

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

Dead Armadillo, explained to Bob the situation
NO PROBLEM, I’LL SEND JAKE OUT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.
CATHY ARNOLDI & Nancy stopped eating anything but dessert over at the Siefert’s – COINCIDENCE?

SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

Decided to apply to West Point. I was asked to write a letter of recommendation and willingly agreed.

I pulled out my letter to Congressman JACK FIELDS

I spoke of Jake’s STRONG ETHICAL & MORAL STANDARDS, PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF LEADERSHIP, COMPETITIVE SPIRIT AND KEEN INTELLECT.

I thought he would have made an EXCELLENT addition to the OFFICER CORP and ENTHUSIASTICALLY endorsed his decision to apply to West Point.

He DIDN’T get accepted initially but was asked to reapply after one year. He applied to Texas A&M and joined the CORP.

I thought the worse thing that could happen was he would fall in love with Texas A&M and NEVER apply to WEST POINT again.

I was WRONG. The worst thing that could happen was he spent to much time SHINING his boots and NOT ENOUGH time in the library.

SWIM TEAM COACH

Rusty Lannin, Bruce LeGrand & Jacob Siefert were asked to coach our swim team one summer. YOU ARE KIDDING ME.

I was able to watch all three of them demonstrate their leadership skills, I saw them mature TO A DEGREE, and I especially saw how WONDERFUL JACOB was with younger kids. He ALWAYS was a good role model.

GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE – 2002

MOVED INTO the house BEHIND me.

Jason came home from visiting one day and said, THEY’VE TURNED it into a FRATERNITY HOUSE. TV’s in every room tuned to Sports. POOL Table in the dining room. BEER, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, A POOL and LIVE BANDS.

MARY K THIEL & I didn’t mind the SATURDAY NIGHT parties it was the parties during the week and the weekend parties until 3 AM we took offense to.

BUT THEY WERE DISCREET, never more than 10 cars parked in front of the house.

AFTER THEY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, I had to go plead for mercy.

NATIOANL GUARD / MILITARY SERVICE

WHEN WE HEARD HE WAS CALLED UP;
NANCY was scared, worried, concerned and prayed for him regularly

I was PROUD, and GRATEFUL, and CONFIDENT that he would be fine and do well. LIKE MY FATHER in WWII, he was a college grad capable of making decisions on the fly. FROM ALL ACCOUNTS, he performed admirably and we were all thrilled when he came home.

HEARD THE NEWS

OUT OF TOWN , NANCY CALLED IN TEARS and RECOUNTED the TRAGIC STORY.

I was ALONE at the time, and felt like HARRY HOUDINI getting punched in the stomach, I COULDN’T BREATHE AND TEARS ran down my cheeks.

AFTER REFLECTING on the situation over the weekend, JACOB was engaged in an activity he thoroughly loved, surrounded by those HE LOVED and WHO LOVED HIM.

JANET & BOB, and everyone else who helped shape his life,

YOU SHOULD BE EXTREMELY PROUD, HE WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG MAN and I will TRULY MISS HIM

MAY GOD BLESS YOU.