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Herbert JENKINS Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Herbert JENKINS
20 Entries
Myrna Charry
November 24, 2020
I worked closely with herb at the port charlotte florida Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. He was always an enthusiastic and ethical voice and memories of him still remain vivid and loving.
Peter Seraganian
October 10, 2020
In the late 1960s, I had the good fortune to work as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr Jenkins learning lab. At that time, the lab was located in a temporary, one-storey, wooden structure behind University Hall. Labs belonging to Drs Kamin and Black were in the same structure. Despite the modest surroundings, one had the impression of being part of a group that was conducting research at the leading edge of experimental psychology. Dr Jenkins had a knack at lab meetings for making sense out of what otherwise seemed like uninterpretable data. After one such session recall him affirming: "They bring me in straw and I turn it into gold". Although my own research activities eventually moved more into the domain of Health Psychology, much of what I learned in Dr Jenkins lab continued to influence both how I designed studies and interpreted data throughout my research career. I am indebted to him.
Peter Seraganian
Professor emeritus
Concordia University
Montreal
Jim Dunn
September 29, 2020
I was sad to hear about Dr. Jenkins' passing but I can't understate the incredible legacy left by his vision and leadership of the Arts & Science program at McMaster University. I was a student in ArtsSci ('91) and am now a Professor and Department Chair at McMaster. The vision, persistence and leadership needed to launch such a unique and, in many ways, unconventional program, is something that I have only begun to appreciate in recent years. In terms of its students, the program has been the launching pad now for thousands of 'world leaders' - to use Dr. Jenkins' term - who are bringing their knowledge, skills, and orientation to societal impact to their professions, their social networks and their communities. As a program director, he was a caring person and a calming force who, reflecting his love of sailing, steered the program from humble beginnings ashore, to great heights in the high seas. My deepest sympathies to his family, and my gratitude for the impact he had on my life and career.
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Tom Wolfe
September 28, 2020
I love the photo of him on this page. It is exactly as I remember him during my days as a student at McMaster.
I ended up studying in the Arts & Science Programme because of a conversation I had with Dr. Jenkins before enrolling. During that conversation he seemed genuinely interested in me, a teenage boy without a clue about what he was going to do with his life. We talked for about 45 minutes -- I still remember the details like it was last week -- and when I walked out of his office in C105 I was certain that this was where I wanted to spend my next four years.
A couple of years after that conversation I remember sitting beside Dr. Jenkins during one of our student / professor community meals. He looked at me with a twinkle and said that he was happy people like me were students in the programme because he had always felt it needed diversity. I took that as a compliment.
At the last Arts & Science reunion I attended I said hello to him, and to my surprise he remembered me. I could see that he was struggling with the specifics and suddenly came out with "There was something different about you!"
Here I am many years later, making my living and supporting a family as a professional mountain guide. I never continued with studies beyond Arts & Science, unlike most of my cohort. So I guess Herb was right!
I still think about Dr. Jenkins often. Just this summer I was thinking that he must be almost 100 years old. I'm sorry to hear the old professor is gone and that I won't be seeing him at the next reunion.
Susan McClure
September 17, 2020
Condolences to Dr. J’s family. How wonderful it must have been to share his life. We ArtSci students were very fond of “Herb”. From him I learned the power of high expectations coupled with quiet confidence and cut by a playful sense of humour. He and the other founders of the Arts and Science Programme created a challenging but fun learning environment. Those socials where the beer flowed as freely as the idealistic talk were formative. I feel very fortunate to have been part of Dr. Jenkins’ grand experiment.
Anne Trueman
September 17, 2020
So sorry to hear about Herb. He was a remarkable man and it is nice to read tributes from his former colleagues as students. I knew him as grandfather to my girls, who have fondest memories of him and Adair in Georgian Bay. Thoughts are with the Jenkins family.
Lisa Kadonaga
September 16, 2020
"Dr. J" was one of my favourite professors at McMaster -- I eventually went on to grad school and am now a university instructor, and hardly a day goes by without me remembering the warm encouragement that Herb Jenkins and the Arts and Science Programme gave me as a bewildered undergrad.
I'd like to second Michele McKinnie's comment about the pigeon impression! In academia I've met a lot of intelligent people, and also a lot of people who did not feel it was necessary or even desirable to be kind and open-hearted. Dr. Jenkins showed me that it is possible to be smart and humane, and have a sense of humour at the same time.
Thank you Dr. J for everything you taught me (and continue to teach me). Condolences to your family, friends, students, and colleagues.
Suzan Fraser
September 16, 2020
I am deeply saddened by this loss. And, I confess, I am a bit shocked, as well, to learn of Dr. Jenkins' double-life as a father, Grampy, bongo-player & builder of cottages. You see as his students, we thought Dr. Jenkins belonged to us. He was so devoted to us (or his grand experiment that is the Arts & Science programme), that it is hard to imagine he could have also had this rich and wonderful life. But, of course, I give all the credit to Adair for making that possible - by his side each step of the way.
He and Dr. Kubursi, as well many cherished colleagues/co-conspirators who joined him in the mission to combine two cultures, - Sylvia Bowerbank, Barbara Ferrier, Louis Greenspan - remain giants in my mind. They instilled in us a joy of asking questions and breaking down silos. He leaves behind legions of students (disciples?) who forever hear him murmuring, "Hello Future World Leaders", a burden of which he later relieved us but remains instilled in our hearts.
Peace to his family and many communities. We are deeply grateful for you sharing Herb Jenkins with us.
Wanda Madronich
September 16, 2020
A very fine gentleman. It was my pleasure to have known Herb.
Also love Adair and our many years in Florida.
Wanda
Richard Day
September 15, 2020
Herb was an exceptional mentor both for graduate students, and for new faculty. I benefited tremendously from his suggestions as I completed my doctoral dissertation. Herb was also a valued sailing companion, as he and I joined a few other like-minded faculty members to charter sailboats in the Caribbean. He was as thorough and engaged when sailing as he was in his research. He will be sorely missed by all who benefited from his intellectual guidance.
Michele McKinnie
September 15, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss, particularly during this already difficult year. I have a deep fondness for Herb and consider him my first true mentor in the pursuit of psychology as a career (I now practice as a Clinical Psychologist). I honour him for so much more than this though - as an ArtSci student in the late 80s when Herb was the director he created a community of learners and peers and I am grateful for that formative experience in higher education to this day. And I will never forget his pigeon impressions when he taught us about BF Skinner. He was authentic, kind, funny, and inspiring. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Agnes Vanderschoot
September 14, 2020
So sorry for your loss. Dr. Jenkins was an inspiration to so many. I am a graduate of McMaster's Arts and Science Program, and now an educator myself. I have many fond memories of Dr. Jenkins. He inspired me to think critically, and I thank him for that gift.
Anne Dahmer
September 14, 2020
Dr. Jenkins, or Dr. J, was such an influential force in so many students' lives. The Arts and Science Programme was such a special place for so many of us. I often recall a great conversation I had with Dr. J in his office in Commons 105 where he explained his work on autoshaping while I was studying it in Psychology. He always had time for his students. He will be missed.
Robert Sinding
September 13, 2020
I’m now a cynical lawyer in northwestern Ontario. I don’t like a lot of what I read in the news. But while I tend to throw up my hands I also have a side of me that requires me to try to contribute to a discussion on the nonsense we are being fed day in day out. The artsci program called it critical thinking. Academia is desperately in need of more of this these day’s more than ever. While some criticized the program for expecting activism they never criticized it for demanding uniformity of thought. Our members would never accept that. Because Herb set the pace. I was never close but he treated me warmly and maybe he understood me. He is one of the top three role models in my life I wish i said that before he passed. But he knew what an effect he had on all of us. As a former president of the student society I pass on my respect and admiration for someone so soft spoken yet so influential
And powerful at the same time. He helped make so many of us who we are now. We are not perfect but we question and debate and challenge all the received wisdoms. And many of us have a loud voice now to influence change. Based on facts and science and truth but also skepticism and humbled by our limitations. He helped create some powerhouse advocates for advancing society’s cause. In the proper cautious way. He’s left a very powerful legacy. But above his many achievements I still have a personal sense of warmth that seems to matter more. Thank you Dr Jenkins. If I can live half the life you did I will have done a great deal.
Stephen Link
September 13, 2020
Herb was a delightful Professor, wonderfully intelligent. He is well remembered for a Jenkinism that occurred in the lounge of the McMaster Faculty Club one Friday afternoon. After a number of Martinis we speculated on the effect these Martinis might have on our brain cells. Herb acknowledged that brain cells are affected by alcohol, but pointed out that only the dumb ones die. We were very relieved. He was concerned about the young faculty and did many thoughtful things to ease them into academic life. Best wishes to his family. Stephen Link
Helen Montoux
September 13, 2020
Dr. Jenkins left a lasting impression on myself and family. He and Paul (Monty) loved to debate and you could see the twinkle in his eyes when they got into a subject. He had an amazing way with words and impressed me with his gentle nature and love for his family. My love to the family and may all of your wonderful memories live on and give you comfort. No doubt he has not missed his scheduled martini time with Monty on the other side!
Helen Montoux
Brenda Kennedy
September 12, 2020
What a wonderful man, I know now where Martha gets her larger than life, wonderful personality, she takes after her Grandpa. May he rest in peace.
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