Herbert Miles JENKINS
1924 - 2020
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With deep sadness we announce the passing of Herbert Miles Jenkins, on September 5, 2020, in his 97th year. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of more than 73 years, Adair (McEathron), his children Glen (Maria), Lauren, Phil (Aline), grandchildren Caroline, Alec, Andrew, Claire, Leah, Martha, and great-grandchildren Alina, Charlie, and Carter. Herb was born in New York City in 1924, and like many of his generation, his family was greatly affected by the Great Depression and World War II. Herb joined the US Air Force during the war and became a navigator and bombardier. While stationed in Victorville, California, he met and fell and love with Adair. They were married in 1947. After the war, Herb's calling to academic studies led him to a BA in Psychology from Oberlin College in Ohio, and a PhD from Harvard University. He had teaching assignments at Harvard, M.I.T., and worked for Bell Labs in New Jersey. In 1963 he loaded the family into a VW bus and moved to Canada, accepting a job as professor at McMaster University in the Psychology department. His numerous publications in Behavioural Psychology are still cited today. He became Chair of the department in 1972. During sabbatical years he taught at the University of Sussex in England, and at Princeton University in New Jersey, USA. In the early '80s, Herb founded, and enjoyed immensely his time as Director of, the Arts and Science Baccalaureate Program at McMaster. In 1991 he became the Director of the Engineering and Society Program in the Faculty of Engineering. He won the President's Award for Curriculum and Course Design in 1996 and received an honorary degree from McMaster in 2009. Together Herb and Adair travelled the world by air, train, bus, ship, sailboat, canoe, VW bus, Ford van, tent, trailer. They built a cottage themselves, on an uninhabited island near Pte au Baril, Ontario, on Georgian Bay. The finished product of that work of craftsmanship is a legacy to the Jenkins family, friends and loved ones. Thank you Herb, Dad, Grampy, and great-Grampy for the life you have lived and all of the lives you have touched. We will miss you terribly; your generosity, your brilliance, your humour, the five o'clock martinis, the jazz, the bongo-playing, and the wink. We love you. The Jenkins family would like to thank sincerely the staff at the Wentworth Heights retirement residence in Hamilton for their wonderful care. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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Published in The Hamilton Spectator on Sep. 12, 2020.
Memories & Condolences
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5 entries
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.
Anne Dahmer
Student
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.
Robert Sinding
Student
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
Stephen Link
Coworker
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
Helen Montoux
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.
Brenda Kennedy
Friend
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