The
Honorable David Alan Jenkins, 89, of Burlington, Vt., passed away
peacefully on May 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and two
daughters.
David
was born in Springfield, Mass., on February 6, 1935, the youngest of
four children, to Edward Sampson and Ruth (MacLeod) Jenkins. The
family moved to Burlington, Vt., in 1939 to a house which David
called home for more than 80 years. Many experiences helped shape the
man who contributed much to our state and community. Two principles
aligned throughout his life: service above self and a strong
Christian faith.
A
student of Taft Elementary School, David was a member of the sixth
grade class that received a generous gift, an original painting
titled “The Babysitter,” from the American painter Norman
Rockwell in memory of a fellow classmate who had died. Decades later,
David took an active role in retaining the painting for the community
when the school district proposed selling it. The painting now
resides permanently at the University of Vermont Fleming Museum.
Boy
Scouts provided an important compass in David’s boyhood, and he was
thankful for many opportunities through scouting that strengthened
his character and established a strong sense of leadership.
At
Burlington High School, David was a notable athlete in football,
basketball, and track and field. He was proud to have played
quarterback for the Seahorses under the guidance of coach Buck Hard
and was one of the “five iron men” who helped the varsity
basketball team claim the 1953 Vermont State High School Championship
trophy. That team went on to win the quarterfinal round of the New
England State Championship tournament played at the Boston Garden,
one of two Vermont teams to ever do so.
Acceptance
to Dartmouth College opened many doors for David, and he remained
very proud and inspired by the experiences the Big Green D provided.
He played freshman basketball, sang in the glee club, joined Sigma
Alpha Epsilon fraternity and chose to study history because he
believed that “unless we know history, we are doomed to repeat it.”
He graduated in the Dartmouth class of 1957 and fulfilled his
military scholarship commitment by serving in the U.S. Coast Guard
Reserve, where he sharpened his leadership skills and discovered an
interest in maritime law.
David
met Susan Merritt Killebrew on a blind date. They married in June
1962 and lived in Hartford, Conn., while he pursued his law degree at
the University of Connecticut Law School. To accomplish this, he
worked full time for Southern New England Telephone Company by day
and attended law school by night. He completed his degree in 1965 and
was admitted to the Connecticut Bar Association that same year.
In
1966 David brought his young family back to Burlington, was admitted
to the Vermont Bar Association and began to establish his career. He
quickly became partner of the law firm Hoff, Curtis, Bryan, Quinn and
Jenkins. He was elected by the Burlington community as alderman and
city counselor for Ward 6 from 1970 to 1972. He was appointed as the
first full-time Burlington city attorney in 1972, working with mayors
Francis Cain and Gordon Paquette. After practicing law for 14 years,
David was appointed by Gov. Richard Snelling as a District Court
judge in 1979 and as a Superior Court judge in 1981, where most of
his work was presiding over criminal and civil trials. He was one of
nine Superior Court judges who traveled in rotation to the 14
counties across the state. These appointments were a point of pride
for David, and he appreciated the opportunity to travel the entire
state and serve each community. He retired from the bench in 2005 and
continued to serve from time to time for another five years.
David
tirelessly volunteered throughout his life. Some of his many
endeavors included Sunrise Rotary (2007 to 2024), Burlington fire
commissioner, public member of the Vermont Medical Practice Board
(2008 to 2019), Meals on Wheels driver for Chittenden County, and
serving as a deacon and trustee for his church. David was a lifelong
member of the First Congregational Church and raised his family
honoring and living the traditions of his faith. Also, he was an
inspirational lifelong learner and an active member of the Grand
Lodge of Vermont Free and Accepted Masons, attaining the Scottish
Rite 32nd degree with the Vermont Consistory.
David
was passionate about sports, including tennis, Alpine and Nordic
skiing, hiking, and fishing. He was very proud of his Scottish
descent and the rich heritage of the Clan MacLeod. He often donned a
shirt, slacks or scarf of the clan’s dress or hunting tartan,
always exclaiming the motto “Hold Fast MacLeod!” He enjoyed
strong and enduring friendships with school classmates, colleagues
and friends throughout his life. Many were lifelong, and they often
gathered to reminisce about youthful capers and life’s challenges
and successes. These friendships were important touchstones to him.
He had many happy memories of high school and college reunions and
annual fishing trips to Maine with a steadfast group of friends.
David
is survived by his loving wife of nearly 62 years; daughters, Lisa
(Beckner) Bryan and Heather (Sam) Jewell; four grandchildren, Merritt
and Lucien Bryan and Benjamin and Elizabeth Jewell; and many nieces
and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his
siblings, Joan Zwick, Ruth Elizabeth (Betty) Maley and Dr. Edward W.
Jenkins.
In
lieu of flowers, a donation can be dedicated in David’s name to the
United Church of Christ or to Meals on Wheels
through Age Well.
A
celebration of life will take place on June 29, 2024, 11 a.m., at the
Charlotte Congregational Church, 403 Church Hill Rd., Charlotte, VT
05445.
This article appears in Kids VT, Summer 2024.