Jacob Mosser, III '67

Jake was a lover of Harley Motorcycles, cats and photography, especially nature. He rode a Harley for most of his 76 years, attending several “biker” rallies in South Dakota, NY, FL and NH, and always had a house full of cats, mostly strays and rescues. He would photograph anything, but nature was his true love.

 For over 40 years he promoted the art and science of photography through his service to the Photographic Society of America (PSA) including the PSA Nature Division, the New England Camera Club Council (NECCC), the Greater Lynn Photographic Assoc. (GLPA), the Massachusetts Camera Naturalists (CamNats), and various other clubs throughout New England.

A member of PSA since 1977, Jake served the Nature Division in several capacities including Division Chairman. Jake also served on PSA’s Ethics Review Board including two terms as chairman.

He was the recipient of many PSA awards including a Gold Medal Service Award, the Irma Louise Rudd Exemplary Service Award and the Stuyvesant Peabody Memorial Award given to a member who has demonstrated outstanding photographic proficiency. The recipient of several editorial stars, he wrote nine feature articles for the PSA Journal, including a feature as the Distinctive Image Photographer. In recognition of his active support of PSA, Jake received several Honors including Honorary member of PSA (HonPSA).

He had an outstanding photographic proficiency record in international exhibitions, holding a rating of 10 Galaxies in Nature and 2 Photonaturalists, a Galaxy in color and 4 Stars in Photojournalism and was the recipient of several awards, including 2 Kodak Kingsley Awards, one in Nature and one in Photojournalism and a Nature Print Diversity Award. A sought-after judge and lecturer, he judged at clubs in prints and projected images (color and nature), interclub competitions and International Exhibitions in color, nature and PJ. Over the years he presented 15 teaching and inspirational programs at various PSA Conferences, over 20 times at NECCC Conferences and over 100 presentations at local camera clubs.

     Jake’s service to NECCC and to photographers in the New England area was extensive as he was always willing to share his considerable knowledge of nature, his photographic experiences of where to find nature subjects and the basic rules of photography. He served as a VP on the NECCC Board for over 35 years including serving as Council President. In 1998 he was made an Honorary Life Vice President of the Board, their highest Honor and in 2007 the 62nd NECCC Conference was dedicated to him and his wife, Susan.

His service to GLPA started in 1970 after taking the clubs photo course and becoming a member. He chaired several committees including club President for two terms, sat on the BOD for over 40 years and was made an Honorary Life Vice President in 2002. He was the prime motivator in the successful drive for GLPA to purchase their own building, by obtaining 501c status for the club and starting a Building Fund which led to the club’s purchase and renovations. He competed in Masters Class in both digital and prints and taught composition and lighting at their annual photo course for over 20 years, giving back to the club with the program that got him started. He was a co- chair of the Nature Group and mentored several photographers on the club’s field trips.

 Jake was a member and past Chairman of (CamNats), a by invitation only organization dedicated to nature and natural history photography and sharing that knowledge with others. For his service to their clubs, he has also been awarded honorary life memberships in the Photographic Society of Rhode Island, The Merrimack Valley Camera Club - MA and the Stony Brook Camera Club - MA.

Jake was a quiet soul with a twinkle in his eye who loved nature, in all its forms and all animals domestic or wild, the environment and the beauty in this vast world we have the privilege of living in. He did all he could to bring it to the attention of others often writing poetry in his presentations about nature. He will be dearly missed as a leader and photographer by all who worked with him, attended his presentations or had their images judged/critiqued by him and as a dear friend by many who knew him well, traveled and photographed with him. Jakes  friends took him for one last walk in the woods, where he use to walk to look for mushrooms, insects and wild flowers to photograph and they left his ashes in the nature he so loved.